Terrorism Accused Fails To Appear At High Court

In what was expected to be his first high court appearance, Zandile Christmas Mafe did not show up at the High Court of South Africa: Western Cape, despite being in the holding cells of the court.  His case was number three, in a pre-trial roll with 18 pre-trial cases, divided between two courts.  After a few minutes, a court orderly came up and told the court that they were facing a predicament as the accused was lying on the floor and said nothing. They tried to lift him, but he didn’t want to move.

Judge Elize Steyn stood down the pre-trial conference and asked Mafe’s lawyer, Luvuyo Godla, to consult with his client to determine what was going on. Mafe came back more than 30 minutes later and told the court that his client has been on a hunger strike for a considerable amount of time and alleged that he (Mafe) did not get advice from the Pollsmoor Prison, that his client has been on a hunger strike. He further told the court that his client was brought to court, although it was known that he is not fit to be in court, and he was dressed in pyjamas. 

The pre-trial started in his absence and Senior State Adv. Mervyn Menigo advised the court that 95% of the State’s case has been forwarded to the defence, and the defence needs to provide the State with a hard drive to download video footage and hand it over to them. Video analysis report will be handed to the defence next week. Adv. Menigo further told the court, that the parties should be able to set a date for trial on 2 September 2022, when the matter returns to court for another pre-trial conference. Mafe is charged with housebreaking with intent to commit arson and arson, terrorism, and theft. The state is ready to start with the trial.

Note: The NPA’s media statements are available on the website: www.npa.gov.za

Issued by:

Eric Ntabazalila

National Prosecuting Authority

Regional Communications Manager

Western Cape

Tel: (021) 487 7308Mobile: 073 062 1222

Email: entabazalila@npa.gov.za