Warrant of arrest for British arson accused withdrawn

A warrant of arrest for the British tourist who allegedly started January’s devastating fire on Table Mountain has been withdrawn. The warrant was issued after Anthony Cooper failed to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on a separate charge of drunk driving earlier this week. His lawyer confirmed to Eyewitness News that Cooper did arrive at court, but was very late. He appeared the next day. His lawyer says the charge won’t have any bearing on his appearance on Friday on a culpable homicide and arson charge. A British woman died in the fire which destroyed hundreds of hectares of vegetation as it burned for days.