Magistrate Ronel Oliver postponed the case to June 9 after state advocate Mervyn Menigo informed the court that the forensic reports were still outstanding and requested the matter be postponed. Zandile Mafe, accused of setting parliament alight, appeared shortly at the Cape Town magistrate’s court on Thursday 12 May.

Mafe who was arrested on January 2, stood silent throughout the proceedings and nodded to everything said when the court interpreter translated to him. The case against the accused has been postponed to next month as further investigations needs to take place. however his lawyer Luvuyo Godla is not leased with the outcome. “If we talk about an incident that happened on January 2 and now it’s almost mid-2022 yet we are still postponing the matter due to outstanding forensic reports, it’s not right,” he said.

This happens to be the second postponement on this case, the case was postponed in march, after the state asked for more time to complete their investigations. Again the state has been granted a four-week postponement. “Magistrate Michelle Adams postponed the case yet again to 9 June, ordering that Mafe remain in custody.”

Luvuyo Godla not happy with the state, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has feels they are not at fault. Outside the court, NPA Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the reports that “the state is waiting for would be ready in Mafe’s next appearance, and that they will have to serve Mafe with an indictment.” Godla says the state’s investigations delays the ruling of Mafes bail appeal.