[File Image] : Zandile Christmas Mafe in court wearing a face mask.
The parties have agreed that the accused be referred to a mental institution to determine whether he is fit to stand trial.. The state wants him to be sent to Valkenberg Hospital but Mafe objects to the facility. Proceedings in the High Court in Cape Town were delayed by a few minutes. A police officer told the judge that Mafe had requested food and he was hopeful that Mafe would come up from the cells. A moment later Mafe arrived for his brief court appearance after having appeared in absentia for a while.Mafe and his legal counsel asked that he be sent for mental evaluation and the state acceded.
The state has been requested to provide a report to explain why Valkenberg is more suitable than other possibilities. There court will also explore an option for the accused to be referred to a facility in another province.
Only now?