A year after a fire gutted the National Assembly, parliament’s presiding officers will outline plans to rebuild the fire-damaged building this week.
Also read: Parliament fire starter to spend the festive season behind bars
According to parliamentary spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, the fire imposed a collective national trauma that would be etched in the minds of South Africans for many years. However, he added that progress had been made towards repairing the damage, explaining that upcoming developments would be up for discussion following the festive season break.
“The Presiding Officers of Parliament, the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, will later this week share with the nation details of the rebuilding programme, the project timeframes, and other relevant information at a press conference,” he said, adding that Parliament remained indebted to the efforts of firefighters for limiting the damage.
“The accident imposed a collective national trauma that will be etched in the minds of South Africans for many years.”
“Parliament was encouraged by acts of patriotism from various sectors of society during the distressing period, which included volunteerism, offers of support, and messages of solidarity from sister parliaments and other institutions locally and internationally.”
Meanwhile, 49-year-old Zandile Christmas Mafe, who is accused of setting fire to the building, spent the festive season in custody following his pre-hearing in November.
Mafe missed two hearings in August and September prior to appearing before Judge Nape Dolamo at the Western Cape High Court late last year.
Advocate Nikiwe Nyathi is representing the accused arsonist. The defence requested more time to prepare for the trial, citing, “The number of documents that we have received on the flash disc require a laptop. We have had issues with consulting with our client due to those constraints. We have been assured that we will be able to consult,” he said.
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Zandile Mafe officially charged for Parliament fire, heads to trial
Picture: Cape{town}Etc Library