Alleged Parliament arsonist finally sent to Eastern Cape for mental evaluation

Arson-accused Zandile Mafe will undergo a mental evaluation at Fort England Psychiatric Hospital to determine whether he is mentally capable of comprehending the gravity of the charges against him, the crime he allegedly committed, and defending himself in court.

On Tuesday, Western Cape High Court Judge Nathan Erasmus issued an order, in the form of a warrant of detention, that Mafe be referred for an enquiry to the Eastern Cape hospital.

The order to the head of the hospital reads: “Whereas it appears/is alleged that Zandile Christmas Mafe charged with the crime of terrorism and arson and detained by Fort England on an order granted by the Judge of the Western Cape High Court, was suffering from mental illness and or intellectual disability at the time of the committing of the offence is by reason of mental illness or intellectual disability not capable of understanding the proceedings and it is expedient that he should be removed to and or admitted to Fort England for enquiry for 30 days.”

Read more in Daily Maverick: Parliament arson suspect refuses Valkenberg hospital observation- demands-alternative-psychiatric-facility

In terms of the order the hospital is to enquire whether Mafe, by reason of mental illness and/or intellectual disability, is:

1. Capable of understanding the court proceedings as to make a proper defence; and/or


2. At the time of the commission of the offence, to what extent the capacity of the accused to appreciate the wrongfulness of the act in question and to act in accordance with an appreciation of the wrongfulness of his act at the time of commission thereof, was affected by mental illness or intellectual disability or any other cause.