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South Africa parliament fire: Suspect 'had explosives' South Africa parliament fire: Suspect 'had explosives'
(about 4 hours later)
Zandile Christmas Mafe was arrested in the parliamentary complex, police sayZandile Christmas Mafe was arrested in the parliamentary complex, police say
A man detained for setting South Africa's parliament in Cape Town on fire was found at the site with explosives, prosecutors have alleged. A man detained for torching South Africa's parliament was caught with explosives, as well as stolen laptops and crockery, prosecutors have alleged.
Zandile Christmas Mafe, 49, appeared in a city court on charges under the Explosives Act, as well as for arson, theft and a break-in. Zandile Christmas Mafe, 49, appeared in a Cape Town court, for the first time since his arrest, on a raft of charges.
His lawyer said he was innocent of all the charges. Mr Mafe's lawyer said he was a "poor man", and he denied all the charges.
The fire first broke out on Sunday, totally destroying the National Assembly, or lower chamber. Sunday's fire totally destroyed the National Assembly, or lower chamber, and badly damaged other parts of the historic building.
No-one was injured the blaze, but it has left the nation shocked. No-one was injured in the blaze but it left the nation shocked.
Mr Mafe is the only person arrested in connection with the fire.Mr Mafe is the only person arrested in connection with the fire.
He looked unkempt and dazed in court, reports the BBC's Nomsa Maseko from Cape Town.He looked unkempt and dazed in court, reports the BBC's Nomsa Maseko from Cape Town.
As he arrived in the dock wearing shorts and a creased shirt, he removed his face mask and did a 360-degree turn as cameras flashed.As he arrived in the dock wearing shorts and a creased shirt, he removed his face mask and did a 360-degree turn as cameras flashed.
Police said Mr Mafe had been arrested within the parliamentary complex after the fire started, but his lawyer said the wrong person had been detained. A spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority said Mr Mafe was facing five charges:
"House breaking" with intent to steal and theft
Two counts of arson
Possession of an explosive device
Destruction of essential infrastructure.
Mr Mafe's lawyer, Luvuyo Godla, said the wrong person had been detained and Mr Mafe was being made a "scapegoat".
Police said Mr Mafe had been arrested within the parliamentary complex after the fire started on Sunday.
The case was postponed for seven days to allow police to continue with their investigations.The case was postponed for seven days to allow police to continue with their investigations.
Firefighters say they have managed to contain the blaze that reignited on Monday.Firefighters say they have managed to contain the blaze that reignited on Monday.
Strong winds caused smouldering wood in the roof to catch fire again.Strong winds caused smouldering wood in the roof to catch fire again.
A video of Monday's blaze has been posted on parliament's Twitter account:A video of Monday's blaze has been posted on parliament's Twitter account:
RE-EMERGENCE OF FIRE IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING: Firefighters are on the scene. #ParliamentFire pic.twitter.com/MXmklIS9MGRE-EMERGENCE OF FIRE IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING: Firefighters are on the scene. #ParliamentFire pic.twitter.com/MXmklIS9MG
On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa - who admitted the building's sprinkler system had not functioned properly - praised firefighters for responding to the "terrible and devastating event" in minutes.On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa - who admitted the building's sprinkler system had not functioned properly - praised firefighters for responding to the "terrible and devastating event" in minutes.
Government minister Patricia de Lille separately admitted that CCTV cameras had not been monitored at the time the initial fire started.Government minister Patricia de Lille separately admitted that CCTV cameras had not been monitored at the time the initial fire started.
The chairperson of the upper chamber, Amos Masondo, said Sunday's fire had led to the "complete burning down" of the National Assembly chamber. Other areas of the parliamentary complex - parts of which date back to 1884 - were also badly damaged. The parliament is not currently in session because of the holidays.
The parliament is not currently in session because of the holidays, and no-one was injured.
The building is home to thousands of treasures including historic books, photographs and important works of art, which officials said had been saved.The building is home to thousands of treasures including historic books, photographs and important works of art, which officials said had been saved.
There had been particular concern that the valuable Keiskamma Tapestry, which is 120m (394ft) long, and documents South Africa's history, may have been damaged or destroyed. There had been particular concern that the valuable Keiskamma Tapestry, which is 120m (394ft) long, and documents South Africa's history, might have been damaged or destroyed.
It is expected to be many months before the building can be used again.It is expected to be many months before the building can be used again.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the city's council chamber would be made available as an alternative place for parliament to meet.Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the city's council chamber would be made available as an alternative place for parliament to meet.
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Video shows black smoke coming from the roof of the building in Cape Town on SundayVideo shows black smoke coming from the roof of the building in Cape Town on Sunday