28.2 C
Accra
Friday, March 14, 2025
Independent AfricaMan confesses to 'intentionally' torching South Africa parliament

Date:

Man confesses to ‘intentionally’ torching South Africa parliament

A man has confessed to “intentionally” setting the South African Parliament ablaze.

He is currently facing terrorism charges over the fire that badly damaged South Africa‘s Parliament building last year said in a courtroom outburst on Thursday that he “burned it intentionally.”

Shouting and pointing his finger, Zandile Mafe said he was going to “burn it more” if the Parliament was not moved from Cape Town to either the city of Bloemfontein or Pretoria.

The huge blaze badly damaged the historic Parliament complex in January last year as it ripped through various buildings, including the main chamber where lawmakers sit. It hasn’t been fully repaired, with estimates saying it will cost around $120 million and take at least three years.

Mafe was arrested in the Parliament precinct soon after the fire started. He was charged with breaking and entering, arson and terrorism, but his case has been held up after a judge ordered him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial.

The judge overseeing Thursday’s court appearance allowed Mafe to finish his rant, saying he didn’t want to “exacerbate” his “mental condition,” according to South African media reports.

Judge Nathan Erasmus then said an expert report indicated that Mafe was not able to understand the wrongfulness of the acts he is accused of, although a final decision on whether there will be a criminal trial was postponed until next month.

Mafe had also challenged the court to give him a sentence of 25 years to life, which is what he could face if his trial goes ahead.

“I’m not afraid of a life sentence,” he shouted.

The fire at the seat of South Africa’s democracy raised criticism of the security procedures in place at the Parliament whose members were on a break and the buildings were largely empty. No one was hurt.

Mafe has said he is angry at various issues in South Africa. He has called the opposition political party that runs the Cape Town municipality racist against Black people and has also accused the government of failing to help the poor.

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

Over 1,000 Northern School of Business SHS students affected after windstorm attack

A fierce windstorm on Wednesday night has affected over...

3 Ghanaians to be deported from US in March, April – Ablakwa

Three Ghanaians in the United States are set to...

100 deportation cases involving Ghanaians either under appeal or dismissed – Ablakwa

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has disclosed that...

Over 17,000 MoMo businesses collapsed due to E-levy – MoMo Agents Association

General Secretary of the Mobile Money Agents Association of...

50 Ghanaians set to be deported from US mid-2025 – Foreign Minister

Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that...

150 Ghanaians in US detention centres awaiting deportation – Ablakwa

Update from Washington Mission indicates that there are currently...

Passport application fees reduced from GHS500 to GHS350 – Ablakwa

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced a...

Related stories

Gaza’s food crisis worsens as Israel shuts supply routes

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deepening as soaring...

Four independent candidates, including Nguema, to contest Gabon’s presidency

Gabon’s interim president, Brice Oligui Nguema, will compete against...

President Embalo declares candidacy for second term

President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau has announced his...

US, Israel oppose UN-endorsed Arab intentions to rebuild Gaza

The Arab League has officially endorsed a plan, led...

Tunisia divided over trial of opposition leaders

A highly controversial trial involving 40 opposition figures including...

ECOWAS team departs Guinea-Bissau after President Umaro’s threats

A delegation from the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS,...

Displaced Sudanese return to Omdurman

Displaced Sudanese families are making their way back to...