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Investigations are continuing at the Parliamentary precinct

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Investigations are continuing in the Parliamentary precinct following the official handover of the burnt National Assembly and Old Assembly buildings to police and the Hawks.

Sniffer dogs are in the precinct searching for various clues following the fire.

One of the sniffer dogs from the K9 unit has been seen moving around on the precinct between the National Assembly area, Marks Building and going into the direction of the NCOP.

The name of the dog is Alvin and it is said to be searching for any explosives on the Parliamentary Precinct. The fire which broke out in the Old Assembly building on Sunday also destroyed the National Assembly’s Chamber where the State of the Nation Address is hosted annually.

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and NCOP Chairperson Amos Masondo are expected to announce the venue for SONA later on Friday.

Parliament to receive preliminary assessment reports on fire cost

 

Arrest

Advocate Luvuyo Godla, the lawyer of suspected parliament arsonist, Zandile Mafe, says members of the Hawks have visited Mafe’s home in Mafikeng, in order to verify his identity and dispel rife speculation about who Mafe really is.

Mafe was arrested on Sunday, following the fire.

Godla says he still has not seen Mafe’s charge sheet.

“His name is Zandile, it has since been confirmed. The identity is not an issue. When you arrest someone, the Constitution says you must bring a person, an accused person within 48 hours to court, coupled with that, you need to tell the person what are the charges. But that has not been the case with Mr Mafe, up until now, we have not seen video footage, I doubt if they do exist.”

Zandile Mafe’s lawyer Luvuyo Godla speaks to the SABC: 

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