Parliament fire accused Zandile Mafe to apply for bail on Saturday
Activists organised under the banner ‘Free Zandile Mafe’ believe the 49-year-old’s life may be in danger.
Mafe, the man accused of setting Parliament on fire earlier this month, has launched an urgent bail application almost two weeks after his high-profile arrest.
He’s accused of solely bringing the National Assembly and Old Assembly buildings down in a fire that ripped through parts of the precinct on January 2 and faces several charges, including terrorism.
The case has divided South Africans down a fine line.
The Black People’s National Crisis Committee, a lobby group, has joined quarters that believe Mafe is being made a scapegoat.
“He did not burn Parliament. The perpetrator is still out there and we urge law enforcement authorities to look thoroughly.
“What kind of interest would take Zandile from the streets of Khayelitsha come and burn Parliament where there is crucial information?” says the groups’s Mbulelo Dwane.
Dwane adds he suspects a sinister, political force is at play.
“Personally, as I’m sitting here I don’t trust anything that comes from the ANC, even worse the State.”
The lobby group is expected to picket outside the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Saturday when Mafe’s bail application is heard.
“Should brother Zandile Mafe be granted bail, we must be able to pay bail.
“We want to look at other avenues as soon as he comes out of court. We don’t think he will be safe where he was initially staying,” says the Cape Townian.
Mafe is currently on hunger strike after the state brought new evidence claiming he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
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