A man facing terrorism charges in connection with the devastating fire that engulfed South Africa’s Parliament building last year made a shocking confession during a courtroom outburst on Thursday.
Zandile Mafe, shouting and pointing his finger, declared that he “burned it intentionally.” He further threatened to escalate his actions if the Parliament was not relocated from Cape Town to either Bloemfontein or Pretoria.
The massive blaze, which occurred in January of last year, caused severe damage to the historic Parliament complex, including the main chamber where lawmakers convene. The estimated cost of repairs exceeds $120 million, and the restoration process is expected to take at least three years.
Mafe was apprehended within the Parliament precinct shortly after the fire broke out. He has been charged with breaking and entering, arson, and terrorism. However, his case has been delayed as the court ordered a psychiatric evaluation to determine his fitness to stand trial.
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During the recent court appearance, Judge Nathan Erasmus allowed Mafe to express his grievances without exacerbating his mental condition. An expert report indicated that Mafe may not fully comprehend the wrongful nature of his alleged acts. A final decision on whether a criminal trial will proceed has been postponed until next month.
Mafe, who has voiced his dissatisfaction with various issues in South Africa, challenged the court by demanding a sentence of 25 years to life, the maximum penalty he could face if the trial proceeds.
The fire raised concerns about the Parliament’s security measures, as the incident occurred during a break when the buildings were mostly vacant. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Mafe’s grievances include allegations of racial discrimination by the opposition political party governing Cape Town and claims of governmental neglect towards the impoverished population.
