Two teenagers accused of attacking three DA MPs in Philippi East may enter a plea agreement with the State.
Lisolethu Klaas, 18, and his 16-year-old co-accused appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The younger accused cannot be named because he is a minor.
They face charges of attempted hijacking and attempted murder.
The case relates to an attack on DA MPs Nicholas Gotsell, Ian Cameron and Lisa Schickerling during an oversight visit in Philippi East in August last year.
MPs attacked during visit
The State is expected to prove that the two accused attacked the MPs while they were working in the area.
The group was allegedly ambushed with bricks and their vehicle windows were smashed.
Gotsell suffered severe head injuries after a brick was hurled at him.
His skull was cracked during the attack.
Cameron sustained an injury to his mouth and later required dental surgery.
Cameron, who is a legal firearm owner, allegedly fired a shot during the attack.
In a previous interview, he said he saw Gotsell slumped over in his seat before taking out his firearm and firing.
Social worker report submitted
A social worker’s report has now been handed to the court.
The document is expected to guide verdict and sentencing proceedings.
The court will study the report before the matter continues.
Gotsell said there was a possible plea agreement on the table.
“There is a possible plea and one is still a minor,” he said.
He said they hoped the case would be split so the older accused could be dealt with separately.
“We have a right to face our attackers,” Gotsell said.
MPs call for justice
Gotsell said they were seeking justice but also understood that rehabilitation formed part of the criminal justice system.
He said any penalty had to balance accountability and rehabilitation.
Gotsell added that the attack had not stopped the MPs from doing oversight work.
He said they had continued visiting Philippi East and had raised concerns about police resources in the area.
According to Gotsell, the station had only three operational vehicles for about 250 000 people during one visit.
He said that after the issue was highlighted, the station later had nine vehicles.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the matter was postponed to 15 July for a plea.