Case Against Suspected Parliament Arsonist Zandile Christmas Mafe Postponed Until Next Month For Further Investigations.
The case against suspected Parliament arsonist Zandile Christmas Mafe has been postponed until next month for further investigations.
The Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Thursday granted the state a four-week postponement after prosecutor Mervyn Menigo indicated that some forensic reports were still outstanding.
Mafe’s case was previously postponed in March, as the state’s investigators needed more time to assess the crime scene.
During Thursday’s court proceedings, Magistrate Michelle Adams postponed the case yet again to 9 June, ordering that Mafe remain in custody.
The suspect’s attorney Luvuyo Godla criticised the state for the latest delay in the case, but the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has defended itself.
Speaking to the media outside the court, NPA Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the reports that the state is waiting for would be ready in Mafe’s next appearance.
Meanwhile, Godla argued that the state’s investigations should have been completed by now, adding that they were still awaiting a court ruling regarding Mafe’s bail.
Mafe’s bail appeal application was heard at the Western Cape High Court last month, in which the judgment was reserved.
The appeal came after the Cape Town Regional Court in February ruled that the defence failed to prove exceptional circumstances as to why Mafe should be released on bail.
ZANDILE MAFE BACK IN COURT https://t.co/pOQQMcrzDV
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) May 12, 2022