By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The pre-trial for Parliament arson accused, Zandile Mafe, has been postponed to September 2.
Mafe could not be brought into court on Friday because he was found lying down on the ground in a holding cell and refusing to be taken up to court.
He faces a number of charges including housebreaking, arson, terrorism and theft.
Mafe’s lawyer, Luvuyo Godla, told the court that he did not anticipate events unfolding on Friday.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s Eric Ntabazalila explains that Godla went down to speak to his client, before addressing the court.
“He came back and addressed the court and indicated that he has been on a hunger strike for some time and he is sick and incapacitated and had not been informed as the defence that he was on hunger strike and had been sick,” Ntabazalila said.
Mafe was arrested on 2 January at Parliament while a devastating fire was consuming the National Assembly building.