By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The State has been granted a seven-day postponement in the case against the man arrested in connection with the fire that’s destroyed parts of Parliament.
The matter has been postponed for further investigation.
Zandile Christmas Mafe’s arrest was confirmed by the Hawks on Sunday as firefighters battled the blaze.
When Mafe arrived at the dock, he removed his mask and did a 360 turn as cameras flashed. He faces two counts of arson, theft, housebreaking and contravention of the National Key Points Acts.
The State intends to oppose Mafe’s release on bail.
Mafe is being represented by lawyer, Luvuyo Godla: “My submission before this honourable court would be seven days should not be allowed. The State not be delayed today. They had plenty of opportunities to establish whatever they wanted.”
He opposed the State’s request for a postponement and said that his client should be granted bail because he’s given his residential address to the court and posed no flight risk.
Court has granted a 7-day remand of the matter for the State to collect bail information and inspection at the crime scene after it is declared safe. The case is postponed to 11 January. Mafe will remain in custody.
A new blaze at the complex housing parliament in Cape Town has been contained, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
An initial fire on Sunday caused the roof of the New Wing housing the assembly’s lower chamber to collapse. The roof of the Old Wing, which dates back to 1884 and houses the upper chamber, the National Council of Provinces, also partially collapsed.
“Around midnight the fire was brought under control,” Cape Town city officials said in a statement. “Teams are now working their way through the maize-like building, room-for-room, as they attempt to locate and extinguish (hot spots).”
“This is a lengthy process, as some rooms are needing to have their interior wooden cladding pulled apart, in order to identify any concealed hot spots,” they said.
Parliament said in a statement that only six of the 10 fire trucks were now remaining on the scene and it was hoped that more trucks would be withdrawn during the course of the morning.
“Further damage has been caused, with more floors of the building, which houses offices of Members of Parliament and support staff, being completely gutted,” the statement said.
The fire swept through the buildings but officials have said important sections including a museum with artworks and heritage objects were saved, as was an embroidered tapestry telling the story of the Eastern Cape on the ground floor of the Old Assembly Building.