Protests expected in support of man accused of burning Parliament
Protests are expected outside the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday in support of the man accused of starting the fire which gutted the National Assembly.
Zandile Mafe is due back in court on Tuesday to apply for bail.
He is accused of starting the fire that ravaged the parliamentary precinct about a week ago.
However, the Black Civil Society believes Mafe must be freed.
The organisation’s Phumzile Jack will be leading a picket outside the court to “fetch” Mafe.
“We believe that Mafe must be freed and we are going to fetch him today. Mafe is a scapegoat because the government, Parliament are incompetent, and they have no idea who burnt Parliament,” says Jack.
“Maybe it might be one of them in that house and now they are just looking for a scapegoat and Mafe must be innocent until proven guilty like anyone else,” he says.
Mafe’s first appearance in court has been the subject of fierce debate with some saying the government needs a scapegoat.
His attorney, Luvuyo Godla, also maintains that his client had no involvement in the fire.
Godla believes that burning Parliament is a crime Mafe couldn’t orchestrate.
Mafe is facing charges of housebreaking with the intention to steal, two counts of arson, possession of an explosive device, and destruction of essential infrastructure.
Western Cape MEC for Community Safety Albert Fritz has said authorities will be on standby outside the court to main law and order.
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