For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Zandile Mafe unfit to stand trial for National Assembly fire; Multi-party formation seeks guidance from civil society ahead of convention; And, cops probe death of British national believed to have been shot dead during taxi strike

 

Zandile Mafe unfit to stand trial for National Assembly fire

Alleged arsonist Zandile Mafe is unfit to stand trial in connection with the fire that gutted the National Assembly building in January 2022, the Western Cape High Court heard today.

The decision was the outcome of an independent psychiatric assessment conducted at the defence's request after three State-appointed specialists gave separate findings.

Mafe was not present in court when the decision was revealed.

The case was postponed to September 1 for the State and the defence to tell the judge how they intend to proceed with the matter.

Judge Nathan Erasmus ordered that Mafe should be detained in the hospital wing of Pollsmoor Prison in the interim.

 

Multi-party formation seeks guidance from civil society ahead of convention

The political parties exploring a multi-party agreement are reaching out to civil society organisations ahead of their national convention, in the belief that collaboration will result in significant political change.

The political multi-party formation, which includes the Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, ActionSA, the United Independent Movement, Freedom Front Plus and Spectrum National Party, have organised a national convention for August 16 and 17.

The multi-party formation says South African civil society organisations have played a huge role in fighting for change, particularly during State capture.

Letters have been sent to organisations, inviting their written inputs into this process and confirming an intention to host an engagement with civil society in the period following a successful National Convention.

The organisations are asking for written submissions to be sent by Monday August 14.

 

And, cops probe death of British national believed to have been shot dead during taxi strike

Police are continuing with their investigation into the death of a British national, who was killed in a shooting that is believed to be related to the ongoing taxi stayaway in Cape Town.

The 40-year-old man was killed in Nyanga last Thursday. Two other people and an infant who were with him at the time were taken to hospital for treatment for shock, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said.

Taxi operators and drivers embarked on the stayaway last Thursday to protest over grievances related to the City of Cape Town's impoundment of their vehicles.

The stayaway has been accompanied by violence.

 

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter [@Polity ZA]