By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Zandile Chrismas Mafe, who is accused of setting Parliament alight will now be held in the hospital section of Pollsmoor prison until his next court appearance.
Mafe appeared in the Western Cape High Court on Thursday.
He is facing various charges related to the catastrophic fire at the parliamentary buildings in January 2022.
After police arrested Mafe on 2 January 2022, the day of the fire, an initial diagnosis of a psychiatric condition was made and he was sent to Valkenberg Hospital, a psychiatric facility in Cape Town.
Investigators were concerned about his alarming body language and statements while they were interviewing him.
His pro bono advocate, Dali Mpofu SC, successfully argued that the referral process was unlawful, and Mafe was taken out of the hospital and put in Pollsmoor Prison.
On Thursday, the court received an update on whether psychiatrists who worked with him think he can follow his trial well enough to instruct his legal team and whether he understands what the State’s accusations against him.
Judge Nathan Erasmus has told the court that Mafe was not aware of the report and that in the light of the prima facie findings of the report, Mafe would be held at Pollsmoor’s hospital section to allow his lawyers to consult him.
Judge Erasmus told counsel that the contents of Mafe’s psychiatric report not be released as the party may dispute the findings.
The report will determine if Mafe is fit to stand trial.
The matter has been postponed to 13 July when Judge Erasmus is expected to divulge the contents of Mafe’s psychiatric report.
Mafe has been in custody since 2 January last year after the National Assembly was gutted by fire and faces charges of terrorism and arson.