City fire starter gets bail

The man alleged to have started one of the fires on Table Mountain which firefighters battled for more than three days to contain was granted bail in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The charge against Frederick Mhangazo, 35, was changed from arson to lighting or causing an open fire without proper authority.

If convicted, Mhangazo could be imprisoned for five years or be fined for his actions, or both.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila says Mhangazo’s charge was changed as he could not be linked to that crime.

Ntabazalila confirmed that Mhangazo was granted bail of R500.

“His case was postponed until 18 June for further investigation,” Ntabazalila said.

Mhangazo was arrested on Sunday, 18 April, at about 8pm hours, after the fire had started.

At the time of his arrest, Mhangazo, along with two accomplices, had allegedly been spotted starting the fire by a member of the local neighbourhood watch, who immediately alerted the authorities.

He was nabbed by Law Enforcement along Philip Kgosana Drive while his accomplices escaped.

The fire wreaked havoc as it spread to three different locations on the mountain, and hundreds of firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the blaze.

Several historical buildings were destroyed in the fire and thousands of University of Cape Town students had to be evacuated from the nearby residences as the flames spread to the campus.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the initial fire.

African News Agency (ANA)