Staff Reporter.
Parliament arson accused, Zandile Mafe, has for a second time refused to appear in the Western Cape High Court.
Mafe was set to make another court appearance on Friday morning for a second pre-trial hearing.
Last month, he also refused to leave the court’s holding cells to step into the dock.
His lawyer Luvuyo Godla told the court his client refused to leave his cell at Pollsmoor prison.
He is demanding coffee, a kettle for warm water, and a radio to listen to the news.
Mafe faces charges of housebreaking with the intent to commit arson, terrorism, theft as well as a separate arson charge relating to the fire that gutted the National Assembly Chamber at the beginning of the year.
According to a summary of the facts, Mafe had on December 31, bought R10 from a petrol station in Bellville, poured it into a cold drink bottle and travelled to the Cape Town City Centre.
He then sat on the pavement, opposite the Plein Street entrance to Parliament, appearing to be observing the entrance gate. When police officials guarding the entrance left, he scaled the fence and made his way into the parliamentary precinct.
“He loitered in the parliamentary premises avoiding being caught by at least one police patrol by hiding behind a wall. He also crawled, remaining on his stomach to avoid detection,” indictment document detailed.
The matter has been postponed to November 4 for further pretrial.