Parliament Fire: South Africa charges suspect with terrorism
Zandile Christmas Mafe, the suspect arrested for setting South African parliament ablaze is now facing terrorism charges following the emergence of new evidence.
Although no life was lost in the fire accident which occurred on January 2, troves of vital documents may have been damaged beyond recovery, with several computers and major parts of the parliament building destroyed by the fire.
Mr Mafe is now facing charges of fire, arson, breaking and entering, theft and the latest addition, terrorism.
The 49-year-old suspect was reportedly found with crockery, laptop, documents including an explosive device which formed the grounds for the terrorism charge.
Mr Mafe, determined to plead his case, has hired top notch lawyer, Dali Mpofu to represent him. Mr Mpofu was the legal counsel to erstwhile President Jacob Zuma currently in prison for contempt of court.
Mr Mpofu was hired after the suspect’s former lawyer denied all allegations levelled against his client.
The suspect deemed mentally unstable and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia would remain in a psychiatric facility until his bail hearing, scheduled for February 11.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Hot news Home top
2,700 deaths in UK linked to heatwave
An estimated 2,700 people might have died in England and Wales following heatwaves that struck in May and June, a study released on Monday showed.
Education
Education summit to review Tinubu’s reforms, honour sector leaders
The education minister will chair discussions on the sector’s achievements, reforms, and challenges under President Bola Tinubu at the 2026 Education Summit.
Economy
FG suspends controversial review of WAEC, NECO registration fees amid backlash
The government claimed the proposed review was informed by prevailing economic realities and the rising cost of conducting credible national examinations.
Hot news Home top
27 people killed in beer parlour fire
At least 27 people have been killed and 63 hospitalised as a blaze gutted a pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district in Thailand.
Sport
Union lauds NFF for beach soccer board appointment
The West African Beach Soccer Union has commended the Nigeria Football Federation for appointing an interim board to organise the beach soccer and Futsal leagues in Nigeria.
Economy
China assures full implementation of China-Africa cooperation
Shuai Guipeng, the deputy director of the FOCAC Office at China’s foreign affairs ministry, gave the assurance on Monday in an interview in Beijing.
