Parliament fire: Accused Zandile Mafe’s pre-trial postponed to September

The pre-trial for Parliament arson accused, Zandile Mafe, has been postponed to next month.

Mafe was scheduled to appear for a pre-trial hearing in the Western Cape High Court on Friday but reporters heard that Mafe was lying down on the holding cell’s floor and had refused to come to the dock.

Mafe’s lawyer, Luvuyo Godla, told the court that he did not anticipate events unfolding on Friday.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s Eric Ntabazalila explains that Godla went down to speak to his client, before addressing the court.

“He came back and addressed the court and indicated that he has been on a hunger strike for some time and he is sick and incapacitated and had not been informed as the defence that he was on hunger strike and had been sick,” Ntabazalila said.

Mafe allegedly set fire to Parliament’s National Assembly chamber in January, a blaze which destroyed sections of the Old Assembly building.

He’s back in court on 2 September.

-EWN

In other news – Dineo Ranaka finds love again, few months after quitting mjolo

“Bazoku hurtaa’, they said. Was it out of anger, when she said she was done with men? Kaya FM presenter Dineo Ranaka shocked her fans recently after announcing that she is in a relationship. Yes, Dineo is seeing someone, after announcing recently that she is not interested in a relationship/marriage.

Dineo made the announcement earlier this week in one of their celebrity interviews. “So listen, I am in a relationship now. I just need to tell everyone. Learn More