CAPE TOWN: Appearing in court on Tuesday, Zandile Mafe who is allegedly responsible for setting the South African parliament ablaze was charged with terrorism.
The South African prosecuting authorities added a charge of terrorism against the 49-year-old because he allegedly detonated an explosive device at the parliament.
Prosecutors allege that Mafe was found in possession of explosive devices and have charged him under a law aimed at protecting essential infrastructure in the country.
Following his arrest a week ago, he was initially charged with two counts of arson, housebreaking, and theft. On these two accounts, Mafe’s lawyer, Luvuyo Godla pleaded that Mafe be granted bail.
With the additional charge of terrorism, however, Mafe’s request for bail may be denied since terrorism is considered one of the most serious crimes in South Africa.
Mafe’s future remains unpredictable as the case was adjourned until February 11. For the time being, Mafe has been ordered to be detained in a psychiatric institute, according to South Africa news reports.
This comes after numerous pleas from his defence counsel that Mafe suffers mental illness.
Of late, dozens of protesters gather outside the court building in central Cape Town, saying Mafe is innocent.
Reports from the Sunday Times Live, said Mafe’s bail application revealed that he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
“The state has charged him with terrorism and he is now facing six charges. He communicated that he will be going on a hunger strike until he is released on bail,” read the Times Live reports.