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Mail & Guardian

Parliament Fire

latest news & developments
Zandile Mafe, who faces charges of terrorism and arson, on Wednesday admitted in the Western Cape high court that he had set fire to parliament at the beginning of last year. (Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
ERIC NTABAZALILA

Alleged parliament arsonist Zandile Mafe ‘unfit to stand trial’

Judge Nathan Erasmus noted that a psychiatrist had found Mafe to be delusional and described his behaviour as ‘strange and inappropriate’

  • Mandisa Ndlovu
2 min read
Zandile Mafe, who faces charges of terrorism and arson, on Wednesday admitted in the Western Cape high court that he had set fire to parliament at the beginning of last year. (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images)
ERIC NTABAZALILA
Video

WATCH: Zandile Mafe admits to setting parliament on fire

A psychiatric report however says Mafewas not aware of his conduct when he set the national assembly building alight

  • Eunice Masson
3 min read
Parliament building in Cape Town, South Africa on January 02, 2022. (Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
ATHLENDA MATHE

Bomb scare at parliament

The bag suspected of containing a bomb belonged to a parliamentary staff member and was harmless

  • Eunice Masson
2 min read
(Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
BAIL

Judgment reserved on alleged parliament arsonist’s bail appeal

Zandile Christmas Mafe faces charges of setting parliament on fire on 2 January

  • Eunice Masson
3 min read
The City Hall is to be used by Parliament for SONA on January 31, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. The City of Cape Town made the building available following the devastating Parliament fire earlier this month. (Photo by Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
2022 SONA

Despite last month’s fire at parliament, officials ‘confident’ about incident-free Sona at new venue

An estimated R4-million has been budgeted for this year’s event, up sharply from R208 000 in 2021

  • Eunice Masson
3 min read
Where there’s fire: Zandile Mafe, who has now been charged with terrorism and is homeless and could be mentally ill, seems an unlikely suspect, leading to the idea that he was used as a patsy by others. Photo: Gianluig Geurcia/AFP
ARSON

Judge Hlophe rules parliament fire accused’s psychiatric observation unlawful

Zandile Mafe’s referral for psychiatric observation has been set aside and Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe has ordered that he be released immediately to a correctional…

  • Eunice Masson
2 min read
Mondli Gungubele, has removed the board of directors of the South African Postbank amid allegations of an unlawful contract worth R140 million. (Photo by PRESIDENCY OF SOUTH AFRICA/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

President puts Mondli Gungubele in charge of State Security Agency

The presidency said the move required input from legal experts but analysts suggests it may in some way have been precipitated by the fire at parliament

  • Emsie Ferreira
4 min read
ATTACKS ON THE JUDICIARY

Constitutional democratic order under attack: Ramaphosa

The president said slurs against the judiciary, sabotage against institutions and the findings of the Zondo commission showed the need to protect democracy

  • Emsie Ferreira
4 min read
insider said the SACP sought to have its chairperson, Blade Nzimande, remain a cabinet minister.
ATTACKS

Timeline: State security-compromising attacks

Eskom, parliament, constitutional court, looting could all be linked. ‘We smell a rat’, says Blade Nzimande

  • Tunicia Phillips
2 min read
Zandile Mafe, who faces charges of terrorism and arson, on Wednesday admitted in the Western Cape high court that he had set fire to parliament at the beginning of last year. (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images)
ARSON

Parliament fire suspect Mafe admitted to psychiatric hospital for evaluation

Zandile Mafe appeared at the Cape Town magistrate court on Thursday morning before being taken in for observation.

  • Eunice Masson
1 min read
Zandile Mafe, who faces charges of terrorism and arson, on Wednesday admitted in the Western Cape high court that he had set fire to parliament at the beginning of last year. (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images)
ANC

Parliament fire suspect to be sent for psychiatric observation

Defence advocate Dali Mpofu SC argued it would be ‘abuse’ if Mafe were to be detained for months only to be found ‘sane’

  • Eunice Masson
2 min read
AMOS MASONDO

Nehawu members “very anxious” and “worried” following parliament fire

Parliament yet to implement health and safety recommendations from 2018, union claims

  • Eunice Masson
3 min read
Plumes of smoke: The statue of General Louis Botha seems to watch – either triumphantly or helplessly – as parliament burns behind it. (Carina Bruwer)
CAPE TOWN

Parliament fire: attack or plain negligence?

Rumours abound about the quality of public works upkeep and the person arrested for arson

  • Eunice Masson
8 min read
Unmasked: Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo hands over the first report into state capture to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo: TK Kopano/GCIS
CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Parliament fire: Truth is stranger than fiction

Zandile Mafe took a nap outside parliament. Does that make him a sleeper agent?

  • Paddy Harper
4 min read
CAPE TOWN

Parliament fire arson case postponed

Hawks not ruling out the possibility of more suspects being arrested as the investigation continues

  • Eunice Masson
2 min read