The man who is allegedly responsible for the fire that broke out at Parliament in Cape Town on Sunday is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, January 4.
According to reports, the 49-year-old suspect was arrested after he was caught with the stolen property after he gained entry to the parliamentary precinct. Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo said the man is expected to face charges under the National Key Point Act as well as counts of housebreaking, theft and arson.
“The suspect was allegedly caught with the suspected stolen property after he gained entry to the parliamentary precinct in Cape Town unauthorised.
“He was spotted by members of the Protection and Security Services when they noticed the building was on fire, “Mbambo said.
Also read: Fire update: ‘A sad day for democracy’ says de Lille
Mbambo further mentioned that the matter was referred to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State team for further investigation as the motive for the suspects actions is subject to investigation.
Meanwhile, Cape Town Fire & Rescue are attending to hotspots on the 4th floor of the National Assembly which is still smouldering. The City’s Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said in a Facebook post that one crew are damping down as certain sections are still hot because the heat was trapped.
“Rest of building under control, 2 engines with 10 firefighters on scene. Hope to finalize withdrawal within the next 2 to 3 hours. The National Assembly is internally extensively destroyed by fire, water, heat and smoke.
“Ambulance no 90 and 20 also standing by from Metro EMS. No injuries were suffered, waiting on structural engineers from Parliament and also forensic investigators,” Smith said.
Smith also confirmed that the National Assembly chamber is “completely gutted”.
JP Smith confirms on eNCA that the National Assembly chamber is “completely gutted”.
Below is a picture, allegedly of the chamber, that’s been doing rounds since last night. pic.twitter.com/xvhEa1bRQj
— Scapegoat (@AndiMakinana) January 3, 2022
President Cyril Ramahosa also expressed his sadness regarding the state of the National Assembly, indicating that this is devastating, a day after Archbishop Desmond Tutu was laid to rest.
Statement by the President on the fire at Parliament pic.twitter.com/KZZTUloas2
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) January 2, 2022
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