Democratic Alliance (DA’s) Nicholas Gotsell, a Member of Parliament (MP), expressed his gratitude to his colleagues, Ian Cameron and Lisa-Mare Schickerling for saving his life during a smash-and-grab incident in Philippi, Cape Town, on 19 August.
The three were leaving the Philippi South African Police Service (SAPS) Training Academy following an oversight visit when a brick was thrown at the driver’s window, hitting Cameron on the cheek and breaking his teeth.
Gotsell was struck on the head leading to severe injuries.
MP, thankful he lives to tell his story
During a media interview with Newzroom Afrika, Gotsell thanked his colleagues for their support during the violent attack.
“I am grateful to be here to tell the tale. Ian acted with such bravery, and Lisa [helped] following the aftermath. They smashed Ian’s window. He started screaming back and fighting back.
“It was a violent attack. I could see the aggression in the attacker’s face,” said Gotsell.
He passed out, and, when he awoke his head was on his legs.
Cameron drove away to safety nearby where law enforcement was alerted.
“After we left, I realised nobody followed to see if we were okay. This made me question what is it that prevents people to respond to such situations? Is it because they are too sensitised to such situations, or are people scared to come forward and help?” Gotsell questioned.
Gotsell said it should be politician’s jobs to build a police force that people trust in. This would encourage people to come forward and report crimes they witness.
He viewed the incident as an attack on oversight, merely because by attacking the people voted to conduct oversight visits, criminals were hampering the building of safer communities.
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