South African parliament fire suspect faces additional charge of 'terrorism act'

South African parliament fire suspect faces additional charge of 'terrorism act'
January 11, 2022, 5:33 pm

South Africa parliament-Cape Town/Facebook page

The Xinhua reported that South African prosecution has added a charge of "terrorism act" to a Cape Town man who is suspected of setting fire to Parliament, which eventually gutted parliament buildings.

Zandile Christmas Mafe, 49, had been charged with housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, two counts of arson, possession of an explosive device and destruction of an essential infrastructure.

In Mafe's second appearing at Cape Town Magistrates' Court after a 7-day postponement required by the prosecution, it was heard that the prosecution added a count in terms of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act, and that the accused was diagnosed of paranoid Schizophrenia after being sent for mental observation by the State last Monday.

A major fire broke out in the South African parliament building in Cape Town on January 2, 2022/Facebook page

The accused "did unlawfully and intentionally deliver, place, discharge or detonate an explosive or other lethal devices in, into or against a place of public use, a state or government facility, or an infrastructure facility, at or near Parliament, upon or about Jan. 2," read the charge sheet.

The matter has been postponed until Feb. 11, for Mafe to go for 30-day mental observation at a hospital as applied by the prosecution.

New blaze at South Africa's Parliament contained and suspect due to appear in court

However, the defence plans to bring the bail application before that, while the date has not been set, as the prosecution office is closed for decontamination, Eric Ntabazalila, regional spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa (NPA), told media outside the court.

In a separate live interview with local TV channel eNCA, Ntabazalila said the prosecution decided to add the charge of "terrorism act with using explosives to destroy the parliament" after viewing a footage showing Mafe's presence in the parliament.

Person arrested following the outbreak of fire at South Africa's parliament

He also said the reason for the mental observation is that it will determine whether Mafe is able to keep instruction or understand the proceeding of the court after the bail application starts.

Outside the court people were protesting against the arrest of Mafe, who is said to be homeless, alleging the move is a cover-up.

Mafe was allegedly caught with suspected stealing property after he gained entry to the parliamentary precinct without authorization, according to the police.

South African President promises deep investigation into parliament fire

The fire, which lasted more than 70 hours from Jan. 2, severely damaged the building of the National Assembly (NA), the lower house, and completely burned down the NA chamber. It also caused extensive damage to the century-old Old Assembly building that houses the National Council of Provinces, the upper house.

Houses of Parliament in the South African city of Cape Town on fire

The Parliament received a fire and safety report of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services last Thursday, which contains preliminary observations of the firefighters during the course of their work, but said it "does not in any way" purport to provide conclusive findings and evidence regarding the cause and the circumstances surrounding the fire.

Source: xinhua

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