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South Africa parliament fire: Suspect 'had explosives' South Africa parliament fire suspect had explosives - prosecutor
(about 1 hour 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 torching South Africa's parliament was caught with explosives, as well as stolen laptops and crockery, prosecutors have alleged. A man who allegedly set fire to South Africa's parliament was caught with explosives, prosecutors say.
Zandile Christmas Mafe, 49, appeared in a Cape Town court, for the first time since his arrest, on a raft of charges. Zandile Christmas Mafe is facing five charges - including two counts of arson - following the blaze which began tearing its way through the historic Cape Town building on Sunday.
Mr Mafe's lawyer said he was a "poor man", and he denied all the charges. The 49-year-old has denied all charges, and his lawyer has said he is a victim of mistaken identity.
Sunday's fire totally destroyed the National Assembly, or lower chamber, and badly damaged other parts of the historic building.
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. The blaze, which totally destroyed the National Assembly, or lower chamber, but injured no one, has shocked South Africa, and the court was packed ahead of Mr Mafe's appearance on Tuesday.
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. The sound of cameras clicking erupted as he entered the room wearing shorts and a creased shirt, and he appeared unkempt and dazed, according to the BBC's Nomsa Maseko.
Mr Mafe, who lives in a township called Khayelitsha which is south-east of the city centre, took off his mask and turned slowly to allow the photographers to capture his face during his appearance.
A spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority said Mr Mafe was facing five charges:A spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority said Mr Mafe was facing five charges:
"House breaking" with intent to steal and theft "House breaking" with intent to steal and theft of "laptops, crockery and documents"
Two counts of arsonTwo counts of arson
Possession of an explosive devicePossession of an explosive device
Destruction of essential infrastructure. 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 was arrested within the parliamentary complex after the fire started on Sunday.
Police said Mr Mafe had been arrested within the parliamentary complex after the fire started on Sunday. But his lawyer, Luvuyo Godla, said the wrong person had been detained and Mr Mafe was being made a "scapegoat".
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. Mr Mafe was remanded in custody until that date.
Firefighters say they have managed to contain the blaze that reignited on Monday. Meanwhile, firefighters continue to pick their way through the parliamentary building. They are attempting to find any remaining hot spots which could reignite, Cape Town city officials said.
Strong winds caused smouldering wood in the roof to catch fire again. The fire has already reignited once, when strong winds caused smouldering wood in the roof to catch fire again on Monday.
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
That fire was finally put out at about midnight local time (22:00 GMT). Twenty firefighters remained on site, fire service spokesman Jermaine Carelse told news agency AFP.
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 parliament is not currently in session because of the holidays.
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, 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