THE defence lawyers of Zandile Mafe, who is accused of burning Parliament, said they'll challenge the mental evaluation report if needed.
On Thursday, 8 June, Mafe appeared in the Western Cape High Court for the first time since his return from the Eastern Cape, where he underwent a 30-day mental evaluation at Fort England Psychiatric Hospital.
Mafe’s defence lawyer, Advocate Dali Mpofu asked Judge Nathan Erasmus to allow them to study the report and consult with their client.
He also disputed the report as a defence, citing they may call their experts.
On 28 March, the court transferred and ordered that Mafe be detained at the hospital to undergo a 30-day mental evaluation.
Mafe's transfer to the Eastern Cape came after he refused to attend Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital in Cape Town.
Judge Erasmus ordered psychiatrists at the hospital to enquire if the accused had a mental illness or intellectual disability, and whether he could understand the court proceedings.
He also ordered them to enquire if Mafe could make a proper defence.
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Erasmus also ordered psychiatrists to find out if Mafe appreciated the wrongfulness of the act at the time of the commission of the offence in question.
The judge said he received an electronic report from the panel of experts on 24 May and shared it with Mafe’s defence and the State.
The court ordered that the contents of the report not be disclosed at this stage, as the defence needs to consult with their client.
State Advocate Mervyn Menigo agreed with the request for postponement to allow Mafe’s team to consult with him.
Mafe is facing charges of housebreaking with intent to commit arson, terrorism, and theft.
This is after he allegedly burnt down the Parliament Building between 1 and 2 January 2022.
