By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Alleged Parliament arsonist Zandile Mafe will have to wait another week after the Cape Town Regional Court reserved judgement.
Mafe was back in the dock on Saturday after his bail hearing was postponed because the 49-year-old tested positive for Covid-19.
Magistrate Michelle Adams is expected to deliver the judgment on Friday.
The suspect took to the stand in the Cape Town Regional Court, where he indicated that he will plead not guilty to all six charges he is facing, which includes one count of terrorism.
“I am not guilty but I do accept that the are serious charges,” Mafe said in isiXhosa during the court proceedings.
Mafe explained why he went on a hunger strike while in prison, accusing government of failing to feed him before he was arrested.
“Why does the state want to feed me now in custody?” he asked.
The 49-year-old, who resides in Khayelitsha, also refuted claims that he is mentally ill.
He further argued that he won’t be a flight risk if granted bail, and signalled his intention to seek compensation from the state, which was opposing his bail.
“I want to sue the state, but in the High Court,” Mafe said.
According to an affidavit given to investigators immediately after his arrest and read out by the prosecution in court, Mafe said that it was “the right thing to put the Parliament on fire as at the moment it is not helping the people of South Africa”.
He then went on the explain that he had acted to prevent President Cyril Ramaphosa from delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) scheduled for February, as well as to demand his resignation, the release of Janus Walusz – who murdered Chris Hani – and R1 500 in aid for all South Africans who have no income.
The parties also argued in court over video footage purporting to show snippets of him in Parliament.
State prosecutor, Advocate Mervyn Menigo, argued that showing the visuals would solidify the strength of their case against Mafe.
Mafe’s defence lawyer, Advocate Dali Mpofu, has questioned the relevance of showcasing the visuals at this stage when its authenticity had not been established yet.
It was meant to strengthen the state’s case in the bail application but was declared inadmissible.
Mafe appearance in court came after he was released from the Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital in Cape Town following a court order.
The Western Cape High Court last Tuesday declared Mafe’s referral to the psychiatric hospital for a 30-day mental observation unlawful.
Judge President John Hlophe ordered that Mafe be released immediately and transferred to Pollsmoor Correctional Centre.
Mafe faces a raft of charges, including arson and terrorism. It is alleged that he is responsible for the fire that gutted the National Assembly building on 2 January.