Terrorism and arson accused Zandile Christmas Mafe appeared in person at the High Court of South Africa: Western Cape Division this morning. The court heard that parties have agreed that Mafe needs to be referred for mental observation but he refuses to go back to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital.
Advocate Dali Mpofu SC said this maybe because of his past experiences at the facility although evidence of those experiences was not tabled in court. Mpofu SC told Justice Nathan Erasmus that his client still maintains that there is nothing wrong with himself.
The prosecutor, Advocates Mervyn Menigo told the court that the state believes that Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital was a designated facility for Mafe’s observation as the other two facilities, suggested by defence and the court – Lentegeur Hospital and Stikland Hospital, were rehabilitation facilities.
The court also heard that the backlog at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital facility stands at 111 and Mafe will be number 112. It can take up to a minimum of ten months before he can be admitted.
Judge Erasmus postponed the pretrial for two weeks and ordered the parties to table a report before him looking at a suitable facility and at the suggestion of an independent psychiatrist who will form part of the panel observing Mage. Mafe emphasised his opposition to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital as he shouted while walking down to the holding cells telling the court and the prosecutor that theymust not mention Valkenberg.
