Cape Town - The case of alleged parliament arsonist Zandile Christmas Mafe has been postponed in the Cape Town Magistrate Court on Friday.
State prosecutor, Mervyn Meningo also submitted to the court Mafe was positively linked by forensics to the blaze which ripped apart the National Assembly.
Mafe is charged with housebreaking with intent to commit terrorism and arson, and separate charges of terrorism, arson and theft.
Menigo told the court that forensic investigators were only granted access to Parliament on 15 March 2022 and thus asked for a six-week postponement.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, Menigo submitted an affidavit of investigating officer, Colonel Christian Gabriel Theron, which stated there were 50 tons of water in the basement of parliament, which needed to be cleared for forensic investigators to be able to determine the costs and amount of damage.
Meningo submitted this is needed when dealing with arson and terrorism charges.
“He informed the court that a positive facial recognition report has been received and that the State will have a draft indictment and summary of facts ready at the next court appearance.
“He also advised the court that a high court date may be decided at the next court appearance” the NPA said.
The defence also informed the court that they had advised the State that they intend to appeal Mafe’s doomed bail application at the high court.
The NPA says that the State will oppose the bail appeal.
The matter has been postponed until May 12, 2022.
IOL