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parliament firelatest 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)

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’

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)
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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

Parliament building in Cape Town, South Africa on January 02, 2022. (Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Bomb scare at parliament

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

(Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Judgment reserved on alleged parliament arsonist’s bail appeal

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

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)

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

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

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…

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)

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

insider said the SACP sought to have its chairperson, Blade Nzimande, remain a cabinet minister.

Timeline: State security-compromising attacks

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

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)

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.

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)

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’

Smoke billows from the roof of a building at the South African Parliament precinct in Cape Town on January 2, 2022, during a fire incident. – A major fire broke out in the South African parliament building in Cape Town on January 2, 2022.
Firefighters were present at the building as large flames and a huge column of smoke were seen at around 0530 GMT. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP)

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

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

Plumes of smoke: The statue of General Louis Botha seems to watch – either triumphantly or helplessly – as parliament burns behind it. (Carina Bruwer)

Parliament fire: attack or plain negligence?

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

Unmasked: Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo hands over the first report into state capture to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo: TK Kopano/GCIS

Parliament fire: Truth is stranger than fiction

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

Parliament fire arson case postponed

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

Smoke billows from the roof of a building at the South African Parliament precinct in Cape Town on January 2, 2022, during a fire incident. – A major fire broke out in the South African parliament building in Cape Town on January 2, 2022.
Firefighters were present at the building as large flames and a huge column of smoke were seen at around 0530 GMT. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP)

Firefighters battle new parliament fire

Fresh blaze erupts on roof of National Assembly

Firefighters are dispatched to extinguish the fire broke out at parliament building in Cape Town, South Africa on January 02, 2022. (Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Parliament fire contained, crews airing gutted National Assembly

After firefighters battled for more than 24 hours to bring the devastating blaze under control, presiding officers were meeting on Monday to assess the damage