The case of alleged Parliament arsonist Zandile Mafe has been transferred to the Western Cape High Court, taking him a step closer to his trial.

Mafe appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Prosecutor Mervyn Menigo told Magistrate Ronel Oliver that a damage report had been received from the Department of Public Works and that the National Director of Public Prosecutions had issued the certificate to pursue terrorism charges against Mafe.

The State was ready for the case to be transferred to the High Court for trial, the court heard.

This brings Mafe closer to his promise to only respond to allegations once he is on trial.

Oliver explained the next steps to Mafe and read the final charges.

They are:

• Arson and housebreaking with intent to commit arson;
• Contravention of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorism and Other Related Activities Act, alternately terrorism, alternately discharge or detonation of an explosive or lethal device;
• Theft.

The matter was postponed to 12 August when his pre-trial conference will be held. Pre-trial conferences plan timelines for a trial and the necessary procedures that have to be followed. 

Mafe was arrested on at Parliament on 2 January, while the devastating fire was consuming the National Assembly building. 

He did not get bail.