Zandile Mafe refuses to attend pre-trial proceedings; case postponed until November

The man accused of setting fire to Parliament case has been postponed yet again.

49-year-old Zandile Christmas Mafe, was expected to return to the Western Cape High Court on Friday for a pre-trail hearing. Instead, his lawyer, Luvuyo Godla, told the court that his client refused to attend proceedings as he was denied equipment such as a TV, radio, and a kettle. Godla said he has been granted permission for a radio, but cannot have a kettle for ‘safety reasons.’

Three weeks ago, Mafe also refused to enter the courtroom. According to reports, police took Mafe, who is at Pollsmoor prison, to court, but he refused to enter the courtroom, instead lying on the floor of the holding cell.

Mafe allegedly set fire to Parliament’s National Assembly chamber in January, a blaze which destroyed sections of the Old Assembly building.

He faces a number of charges including housebreaking, arson, terrorism and theft. Mafe is due to appear again on 4 November.

A report handed over to Parliament by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Patricia de Lille, revealed that it would cost over R1 billion to repair the legislature building.

 

Done By: Mitchum George