Zandile Mafe Accused of Robbery During Parliament Fire in Cape Town, Denies All Allegations

• Zandile Mafe, aged 49, was arrested in connection with the fire that engulfed the houses of Parliament
• Mafe appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court today on charges of arson, housebreaking and robbery
• The accused was discovered with explosives and items from Parliament in his possession when he was arrested

CAPE TOWN - Zandile Mafe, aged 49, was arrested in connection with the fire that engulfed the houses of Parliament on 2 January 2022. He appeared in court today (4 January) and denied all charges against him.

Mafe was not only charged with arson and housebreaking, but also with robbery due to several items from Parliament being found in his possession, such as documents, laptops, and crockery.

The accused allegedly used explosives to start the fire, which amounts to him disobeying the Explosives Act, News24 reports. Mafe might be charged with extra allegations as the trial proceeds.

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Parliament fire: Suspect in the National Assembly blaze named, lawyer says he's a scapegoat

The next steps in the trial

Mafe's case has been postponed by the Cape Town Magistrate's Court to 11 January to facilitate further investigation. Luvuyo Godla is representing the accused and maintains that his client is pleading not guilty, according to IOL.

Eric Ntabazalila, a spokesperson for the Western Cae's branch of the National Prosecuting Authority, said that the extra investigation time will allow authorities to ascertain if Mafe has assets and his residential address.

“Investigators have not been able to go to Parliament to assess the damages. By next Tuesday we will have that information,” Ntabazalila said.

South Africans react to Parliament fire suspect's first day in court

@ZungulaVuyo, a member of Parliament, said:

@Cellular_Jnr believes:

"Shame the poor guy... I strongly believe this man has been selected as the fall guy. I’m just not buying it."

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South Africans react to Parliament building fire reigniting: 'Incompetence everywhere'

@_icefaro_ asked:

"How does a national key point stay unguarded the entire night? The security company should take the blame and they must let the poor guy go. Utter insult to our intelligence."

@Truthte83602973 remarked:

@minayza remarked:

"At least he will have something to eat and a place to sleep for a while."

Suspect in the Parliament fire named, lawyer says he's a scapegoat, SA agrees

In other news about the Parliament fire, earlier Briefly News reported that the 49-year-old man being accused of setting Parliament building alight has been publicly named. Zandile Christmas Mafe made a brief appearance in court on Tuesday, 4 January.

Mafe reportedly managed to sneak into the national key point without being detected by security on Sunday. Reports state that he was arrested after he was found in the burning building by firefighters.

Before court proceedings, the accused took off his mask and turned for the camera before he was ordered by police to put it back on.

Source: Briefly News