Africa
South Africa Parliament: Alleged Arsonist Arrested Over Massive Fire
- Footage from the scene showed a plume of black smoke filling the sky, with huge flames coming out…
EKO HOT BLOG reports that a man has been arrested after a large fire severely damaged the Houses of Parliament in the South African city of Cape Town.
A police spokesperson said the 49-year-old man was facing charges of arson, housebreaking and theft, and would appear in court on Tuesday.
Firefighters have been working for hours to extinguish the blaze.
Read also: Fire Tears Through Parliament Building In South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa called it a “terrible and devastating event”, as he vowed parliament’s work would continue.
Footage from the scene showed a plume of black smoke filling the sky, with huge flames coming out from the roof of the building.
Officials said the fire started on the third floor offices and quickly spread to the National Assembly (the parliament’s lower house) chamber, reports the BBC’s Nomsa Maseko in Cape Town.
No injuries have been reported.
Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo said the suspect is also expected to be charged under the National Key Points Act, which protects sites of strategic importance.
Click to watch our video of the week
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
New York’s New Mayor Takes Aim At Government ‘Dysfunction’ In First Speech
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
