Dali Mpofu Busisiwe Mkhwebane

Advocate Dali Mpofu Photo: Abayomi Azikiwe / Flickr

Zandile Mafe: Dali Mpofu joins legal team as senior counsel

Dali Mpofu has joined Zandile Mafe’s defence at the request of pro bono lawyer Luvuyo Godila. The accused is expected to apply for bail.

Dali Mpofu Busisiwe Mkhwebane

Advocate Dali Mpofu Photo: Abayomi Azikiwe / Flickr

Dali Mpofu is at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning, 11 January, to represent Zandile Mafe, the man accused of starting the Parliament fire.

ZANDILE MAFE MAKES SECOND APPEARANCE

The State has charged the 49-year-old with housebreaking, two counts of arson, possession of an explosive device and destruction of essential infrastructure.

Mafe made his first court appearance a week ago. Magistrate Zamekile Mbalo granted the State a seven-day postponement to obtain and verify more information about the accused ahead of his bail application.

Mafe is expected to make that bail application on Tuesday and his legal team is expected to argue against his arrest.

EFF National Chairperson, Mpofu, joins the legal team as senior counsel after being approached by Luvuyo Godila, who represented Zandile Mafe at his first appearance.

Godila, who says Mafe is being used as a scapegoat, said his client will sue the State if he is freed. “We will first work with psychologists and then the actuaries to determine the exact amount we suing for,” said Godila to Weekend Argus ahead of the appearance.

Khayelitsha residents picketed outside the Magistrate’s Court to “fetch” Mafe. Black People’s National Crisis Committee (BPNCC) member Phumzile Jack led that protest.

“We believe that Mafe must be freed and we are going to fetch him today. Mafe is a scapegoat because the government, Parliament are incompetent, and they have no idea who burnt Parliament,” said Jack ahead of the picket.

“Maybe it might be one of them in that house and now they are just looking for a scapegoat and Mafe must be innocent until proven guilty like anyone else.”

The City’s homeless, civil society groups and other concerned citizens also turned out to show support their support for the accused.

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