Parliament ‘arsonist’ to undergo 30-day evaluation in EC
The man accused of starting the devastating blaze at Parliament in January 2022 will undergo mental evaluation at the Fort England Psychiatric Hospital in the Eastern Cape.
Zandile Mafe appeared in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday.
The court order came after Mafe refused to return to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital in Cape Town.
He is facing charges of arson, theft, and terrorism following the devastating blaze that gutted the National Assembly building in January 2022.
Judge Nathan Erasmus referred Mafe to the Fort England Psychiatric Hospital in Makhanda, Eastern Cape for evaluation.
“Psychiatric evaluations might be completed earlier than the stipulated 30 days – if this is the case, the accused will return to Pollsmoor Prison until 8 May. However, if more time is needed for the evaluation, an extension may be granted, and his stay in the Eastern Cape may be prolonged”, said Judge Erasmus.
Erasmus said the report must be made available by 8 May.
Mafe will return to court on the day for the continuation of pre-trial proceedings.
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