Zandile Mafe pleads not guilty, state claims he admitted to starting fire

• Zandile Mafe has pleaded not guilty to allegations that he started the fire in the Parliament building
• The state argues that he admitted to starting the fire in his written affidavit and provided three reasons for the alleged arson
• Mafe maintains that he was violently manhandled and intimidated by the police after his arrest

CAPE TOWN - Zandile Mafe has pleaded not guilty to starting the fire in the Parliament building in Cape Town.

However, the state attorneys claim that in the affidavit submitted by Mafe, he admitted to starting the fire and provided three reasons.

eNCA reported that Mafe took the stand on Saturday for his bail hearing. The state prosecutor listed the reasons Mafe gave for allegedly starting the fire.

1. He wanted President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign.
2. He demanded the release of Janusz Waluś. Mafe claims Waluś is innocent of the death of Chris Hani and according to the affidavit, he believes that Ramaphosa is responsible.
3. The prosecutors also claim that Mafe allegedly started the fire to prevent Ramaphosa from delivering the State of the Nation (SONA) address.

Read also

"Why does the state want to feed me now?" Zandile Mafe shares tragic life story at bail hearing

In addition, Mafe took to the stand and said that he was a strong supporter of former AWB leader Eugene Terreblanche according to TimesLIVE.

News24 reported that Mafe refused to answer most questions following his plea of not guilty.

He claims that he was violently intimidated and manhandled by the police.

CCTV footage shows a man dressed like Mafe setting fire to the Parliament building using paper and boxes soaked in petrol and ripped curtains.

"Why does the state want to feed me now?" Zandile Mafe shares tragic life story

In similar news, Zandile Mafe has told the court in Cape Town that the government had no interest in feeding him while he lived on the streets.

The suspect accused of setting fire to the Parliament buildings in Cape Town has refused to eat while in custody.

Read also

"Everything is burning": Historic Komani Hall gutted by fire, SA suspects foul play

He shared his tragic tale about how he was left cold and hungry on the streets of Cape Town but now the state wanted to feed him.

Baby Tyawa must be held accountable for Parliament fire, says Malema

Earlier, Briefly News reported that the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema, does not believe that Zandile Mafe, the man accused of starting a fire at the Houses of Parliament in Cape Town, is guilty of the offences he is being charged with.

Instead, Malema believes that the responsibility falls on the shoulders of Parliamentary officials who did not ensure that Parliament was adequately maintained. He specifically named Baby Tyawa, the Secretary, who Malema suggested should step down from her position.

Source: Briefly News