Parliament fire: Malema reckons RATS caused blaze, defends Mafe

EFF leader Julius Malema has echoed the sentiments of those who do not believe that Zandile Mafe caused the fire which engulfed a Parliament building, but has an interesting theory: He believes rats chewed on the wires, which came into contact, igniting a spark.

Malema addressed the red berets first media briefing for the year at its headquarters on Tuesday, 25 January 2022.

Mafe is the sole suspect in the blaze and faces several charges, including housebreaking, arson and terrorism. At the time of his arrest at the scene, Mafe was reportedly found in possession of stolen property, including laptops.

Since his arrest, some have cast doubt over the state’s claim that the 49-year-old man plotted to set fire to the parliamentary precinct – his lawyers maintain their client is being used as a scapegoat to deflect from the state’s failure to properly safeguard the national keypoint.

If rats did in fact cause the blaze, Malema says someone in Parliament must be dealt with for negligence.

”There must be rat traps and all manner of things. The inspectors should have picked it up a long time ago. From time to time they must inspect the building for fire compliance,” he said.

MALEMA WANTS HEADS TO ROLL OVER PARLIAMENT FIRE

Julius Malema says either the National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, her predecessor Thandi Modise or acting secretary Baby Tyawa need to be held accountable for the fire, regardless of how it started.

”Christmas, with all his sophistication, how can he burn the roof? It’s a technical problem that someone must take responsibility (for). Two people, Thandi Modise and the current speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and the secretary of parliament,” he said.

“Anyway, if these two politicians can’t take responsibility, the secretary of parliament must take responsibility because parliament belongs to the secretary of parliament. She must fall on her sword, I don’t know why she is still secretary of parliament”

EFF leader Julius Malema

Specifically taking aim at Tyawa, Malema says she should have seen to it that systems are in place to prevent any tresspassing.

”An honourable, innocent member of staff of parliament should have resigned. She (Tyawa) can’t resign, she is a deployee. Cadre deployment. She is waiting for them as a mascot for them to tell her she must resign. She must resign,” he said.