Parliament Arson Accused Says He Was Threatened With Death Sentence

• Zandile Christmas Mafe has alleged that a white police officer had threatened him with the death penalty
• He submitted an affidavit to the court that alleges that he was forced to cooperate with the authorities
• Judge John Hlope adjourned proceeding until next Saturday where Mafe's legal team would appeal the decision to send him to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for observation

CAPE TOWN - Zandile Christmas Mafe has revealed in an submitted to Western Cape judge president John Hlophe that he was threatened with the death sentence.

He alleges that he was arrested on the street while sleeping and violently manhandled.

Zandile proceeds to say that he was taken to an unknown police station where an unknown white officer threatened him with the death sentence if he did not cooperate.

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The 49-year-old said the officer also promised to release him but according to the accused this did not happen and he has been in custody for two weeks according to TimesLIVE.

Hlophe adjourned the proceedings until next Saturday where Mafe's legal defence team will attempt to prevent the court from sending their client to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for observation.

Mafe was not in court and will remain at Valkenberg until further notice.

IOL reported that Mafe is being charged with two counts of arson, one of terrorism and one of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft and others.

"Enough": Zandile Mafe supporters want to see him freed, gather outside court

Earlier, Briefly News reported that protesters gathered outside the Cape Town Magistrate's Court in a show of support for Zandile Mafe, where the accused appeared for the second time on Tuesday.

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State requests Zandile Mafe be sent for 30 days observation, Parliament fire suspect threatens hunger strike

Mafe, who has since been referred for mental observation to establish whether he is fit to stand trial, is accused of starting the fire that engulfed the National Assembly building of Parliament.

But supporters who have banded together for his release have expressed that they believe he is being used as a scapegoat and could be heard chanting, "Free Zandile!" near the court precinct as proceedings got underway.

The 49-year-old has denied the six charges that have been brought against him by the State, including terrorism. According to SowetanLIVE, he also faces two counts of arson, possession of an explosive device, housebreaking and destruction of essential infrastructure.

Source: Briefly News