[imagesource: Twitter / Moloto Mothapo]

In early January, a fire tore through the Parliament buildings in Cape Town.

Firefighters spent three days battling to save the complex of buildings in the city centre, in what can best be described as a failure of epic (and expensive) proportions.

Blunder after blunder has since been laid bare, including fire doors being latched open, a sprinkler valve being closed when it should have been chained open, failure to service the sprinkler system, and poorly ventilated emergency staircases.

There’s also the small matter of a lack of insurance, depending on who you believe.

Just when you think you’ve heard it all, along comes the latest report from News24.

Zandile Mafe, the man accused of starting the fire, spent 30 hours inside Parliament unchecked because, wait for it:

This was while two police officers on duty in a nearby control room noticed nothing at the time he entered Parliament – one was caught on camera sleeping, while the other had headphones on.

It’s like something out of a poorly written Hollywood comedy caper.

Sources with knowledge of events said that Mafe actually made a call to police while he was inside Parliament. It’s alleged he said he would start a fire if Janusz Walus, currently behind bars for the murder of Chris Hani, was not released from prison.

Mafe is believed to have entered the building somewhere around midnight on New Year’s Eve, evading detection for the entirety of the next day by “leopard crawling” and using a jacket over his head to avoid certain cameras.

The police official said that his movement had convinced some officers that he had received training at one point and displayed knowledge of some camera placements inside the building.

Sure, but it doesn’t help when the on-duty officers are dossing and chilling with headphones on.

The bit about knowledge of where the cameras are placed will only serve to further the argument that Mafe (below) didn’t act alone and may have been aided by forces looking to destabilise the government.

Image: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach

Footage from the cameras is alleged to show Mafe calling to police to arrest him, with the source saying the suspect “was literally begging them to take him”:

“It’s an embarrassment for police. It’s a mind f**k. When you watch the footage, I tell you, you will be shocked,” they added.

It is an embarrassment but it’s tough to be too shocked these days when it comes to our law enforcement.

Mafe facing charges of theft, arson, and housebreaking with the intent to commit terrorism and arson. On Tuesday, he was released from Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital. He was sent there after being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

The district surgeon who made that diagnosis recommended that Mafe spend 30 days at Valkenberg for a mental assessment. That was overruled by Judge President John Hlophe.

The officers on duty are also believed to be facing disciplinary action. although I wouldn’t hold my breath on that front.

[source:news24]