Dear Editor
The events surrounding the fire at Parliament on January 2, 2022, have raised serious concerns about the security and integrity of our national heritage building. The DA acknowledges the arrest and subsequent declaration of Zandile Mafe as unfit to stand trial in connection with the incident. However, we firmly believe that the focus on Mafe should not divert our attention from the possibility of a larger, orchestrated effort to undermine our democracy.
The recently revealed screenshots from CCTV footage present a shocking timeline of events leading up to the fire. It is evident that the individual in question roamed freely within the precinct without detection for more than 24 hours. This raises serious questions about the security measures in place and the potential involvement of others in this deliberate act.
Of particular concern are the picture stills that seem to depict Mafe talking on the phone, suggesting possible communication with an external party. This alone constitutes enough evidence to warrant a thorough investigation into who else may have been involved in this attack on our democratic institution. We are calling for an urgent intervention by the State Security Agency (SSA) to conduct a comprehensive inquiry.
It is imperative to ascertain whether Mafe’s phone was analysed by the prosecution and, if not, why not. Confirming or denying the analysis of his phone is crucial to understanding the full scope of this incident. The possibility of a cover-up must be addressed transparently.
While Mafe’s mental health condition has been cited as a factor, we emphasise that even individuals with mental health challenges can be influenced and taken advantage of by others. The assertion that this act was orchestrated does not negate the importance of holding those with direct involvement accountable.
The DA demands a thorough investigation by the SSA. It is essential to shift our focus from the individual to the broader context of what appears to be a deliberate and coordinated act resembling terrorism on the Parliament building. The real culprits may be exploiting the attention on Mafe to escape scrutiny.
Our democracy is at stake, and we cannot allow such attacks to go unanswered.
We will closely monitor developments in this investigation and continue to advocate for a thorough and transparent process to ensure the safety and security of our democratic institutions.
Regards
Dianne Kohler Barnard MP
DA member of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence
crazy eights
Slap chips – French fries [slup-chips] An Afrikaans word meaning limp and describing soft, fat French fries. These are usually mixed with tomato sauce and vinegar.
old man winter
Van is getting married, but he and his fiancee have never done the deed – in fact he\’s never been with any woman before. He\’s getting more and more nervous as the big day approaches, so he confides in his friend. His friend says \’No worries man. I\’ll come by the honeymoon suite before you guys get there, and I\’ll hide behind the curtain, and I\’ll whisper instructions to you.\’
\’You\’d do that for me?\’
\’Sure thing man!\’
So the wedding day arrives, it was a lovely service (so I was told, I wasn\’t there myself) and Van\’s friend sneaks into the honeymoon suite as promised and hides behind the curtain.
Van and his new wife arrive in the room, get settled on the bed, and things are getting steamy.
But Van is still super nervous and his tummy is bubbling, so he murmers to his wife, \’Listen babe, I\’m just gonna go to the bathroom quick. I think it\’s that wors roll from earlier.\’
\’Sure thing babe.\’
So Van goes into the bathroom, and he\’s taking quite a long time. And his wife is starting to feel the nerves herself. And it\’s getting worse. She can\’t hold it in. But she doesn\’t want to go after he\’s gone and totally ruin the mood. So she looks around and finally finds a shoebox. Quickly, she does her business in the shoebox, and she shoves it under the bed just as Van comes back from the loo.
Van gets back on the bed and they go at it again. But after a minute or so Van smells something not so lekker.
\’What\’s that smell?\’
\’Nothing babe,\’ he wife tries to assure him.
\’No man there\’s definitely something not so lekker in this room!\’VSo Van starts looking around the room, in the corners, in the cupboard, and finally he looks under the bed, and sees the shoebox.
He pull it out, and opens it up, and in horror he shouts \’Sies! Daar\’s kak in hierdie doos!\’
And from behind the curtain his friend yells, \’NEE MAN, DRAAI HAAR OM!\”