The 49-year-old jobless man from Khayelitsha, Cape Town, accused of setting fire to Parliament is refusing to eat.
On Tuesday, Cape Town Magistrate Zamekile Mbalo ordered that arson accused Zandile Christmas Mafe undergo a 30-day mental observation at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital.
Before the ruling, Mafe’s defence led by Advocate Dali Mpofu SC had argued “there was nothing wrong” with the accused who wanted to be released on bail.
Mafe threatened to go on hunger strike if he was not released on bail.
On Saturday it emerged Mafe was challenging the order made by Cape Town Magistrates’ Court confining him to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for a 30-day mental observation.
The accused, who now faces terrorism charges on top of the arson and breaking and entering offences, has reportedly carried out his threat and embarked on a hunger strike to press for his release on bail.
However, Western Cape Division Judge President John Hlophe, who presided over Saturday’s proceedings, said a review of a decision taken by a magistrate or another judge could not be presided over by a single judge.
Judge President Hlophe said he has organised for another judge to join him Tuesday at 4 pm to hear the review of the order to send Mafe for mental observation.
The judges are likely to make an order the same day, which will pave the way for the bail application to be heard next Saturday.
