CAPE TOWN, South Africa: South African prosecutors have said that the man who allegedly set fire to South Africa’s parliament, Zandile Christmas Mafe, was also caught carrying explosives.
Following the fire that spread throughout the historic Cape Town building January 2, Mafe, 49, faces five charges, including two counts of arson.
Mafe, the only person arrested in connection with the fire, has denied all charges, and his lawyer, Luvuyo Godla, claimed he is a victim of mistaken identity.
The fire, which destroyed the National Assembly, but caused no injuries, shocked the country, and the court was packed ahead of Mafe’s appearance later in the week.
A spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority said Mafe was facing five charges, which include two counts of arson, procession of an explosive device, and the destruction of essential infrastructure.
According to the police, Mafe was arrested on January 2 inside the parliamentary complex after the fire began, but Godla said the wrong person had been detained and Mafe was being made a “scapegoat.”
While the case was postponed for seven days to enable police to continue their investigations, Mafe was remanded into custody.
Cape Town city officials said firefighters are continuing to survey the parliamentary building to find any remaining hot spots which could reignite.
The fire reignited on January 2, when strong winds caused smoldering wood in the roof to again burst into flames.
