![[DOCUMENT] Parliament fire report by City of Cape Town](https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Parliament-burning-3.jpeg "[DOCUMENT] Parliament fire report by City of Cape Town")
Parliament
Parliament is being rebuilt at an estimated cost of R4.4 billion following the devastating fire that gutted the National Assembly in January 2022.
By Thabo Mosia
Detailed Presentation Reveals Massive Rebuild Costs
This was confirmed during a detailed presentation by the Development Bank of Southern Africa to the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament on Friday. According to the Group Executive for Infrastructure Delivery at the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Chuene Ramphele, the project encompasses the full reconstruction of both the National Assembly and Old Assembly buildings, demolition work, infrastructure upgrades, and the development of new office spaces at 90 Plein Street.
“Ultimately, the entire programme of Parliament is at a cost of around R4.4 billion… So far, we’ve already spent, with what has been happening, what we’ve done, R574 million.”
The revelation comes amid concerns that Parliament’s buildings were uninsured at the time of the fire, leaving the state to foot the entire bill for restoration. This lack of insurance has raised questions about risk management at key national sites, potentially adding to taxpayer burdens.
Construction Progress and Timeline
The National Assembly rebuild, which carries a price tag of R2.27 billion, is already underway. However, much of the work remains invisible to the public as it focuses on substructure development.
“We are now in the basement, starting to deal with the structural foundations, beginning to build up from that point,” said Ramphele.
“This building is going to sustain every little weather condition that we look at, because we want to build a climate-resilient Parliament.”
The project involves the casting of 40 deep support columns, of which 14 have already been completed. Twelve of these columns will form the structural core of the new National Assembly chamber.
“We are adding another two floors plus the roof at the top, which has never existed before,” he added.
The Old Assembly, which was also damaged, will undergo a heritage-sensitive restoration costing R1.3 billion, and is set to be completed by early 2027. Both chambers are expected to be fully commissioned and ready for use by February 2027, in time for that year’s State of the Nation Address. However, overall project timelines suggest the full precinct could be operational by the end of 2026, depending on progress in other areas like infrastructure upgrades.
Temporary Office Expansion
To ensure continued functionality, 155 temporary offices have already been created, with plans for an additional 55 offices and 3 committee rooms to be completed by August 2025. Parliament has identified four floors in 90 Plein Street for this expansion.
“Partitioning has been done. Now we’re dealing with electricals, air conditioning and ICT just to network it,” said Ramphele.
While the project remains on track, officials warned that delays in vacating certain office floors could pose a short-term risk to the refurbishment schedule.
The Fire Incident and Ongoing Investigation
The blaze that destroyed much of Parliament occurred on 2 January 2022, and it took three days for firefighters to extinguish the flames. Zandile Mafe was arrested at the scene and faces charges of arson and terrorism. He is currently under psychiatric evaluation at Valkenberg Hospital.
The Hawks have defended their role in investigating the 2022 Parliament fire, saying they acted within their legal mandate and have gathered compelling evidence linking suspect Zandile Mafe to an arson case.
The unit’s Deputy National Head, Major General Siphesihle Nkosi, briefed the Joint Standing Committee on the Financial Management of Parliament on Friday, where MPs were updated on the progress of the case, the damage assessment, and the broader implications for national security.
Large sections of the parliamentary precinct were destroyed in the January 2022 fire, with the National Assembly completely gutted. Mafe was arrested on the premises and charged with arson, housebreaking, and theft.
He is currently a state patient under psychiatric care.
Overwhelming Evidence Against Mafe
Nkosi told MPs that the Hawks had reviewed more than 30 hours of CCTV footage and conducted facial recognition analysis, which confirmed Mafe’s identity.
“Still images from the video footage were printed, and a facial comparison was done with these images and photos taken of Mr Mafe after his arrest,” Nkosi said. “The result of the facial comparison was positive, and it can be said without any doubt that the person walking around in Parliament and setting Parliament alight is indeed Mr Mafe.”
Investigators also recovered physical evidence, including bags of stolen property found in Mafe’s possession at the time of his arrest. He was seen entering Parliament through a window and allegedly used paper to start multiple fires inside the Old Assembly and National Assembly chambers.
Hawks Justify Role in Investigation
Some MPs questioned whether the Hawks are the appropriate agency to lead the investigation, but Nkosi outlined the legal basis for their involvement.
“If during the course of an investigation by the directorate, evidence of any other crime is detected and the national head considers it in the interest of justice or the public interest, the investigation may be extended,” Nkosi explained.
He cited Section 17D of the SAPS Act, which allows the Hawks to pursue complex crimes involving public interest or requiring specialised investigation, including crimes against the state.
DA MP Frederik Badenhorst earlier questioned whether the Hawks had properly followed digital leads, such as cell phone activity.
“Did the Hawks investigate who [Mafe] made phone calls to while he was in Parliament? He was apparently seen with a cell phone, and he made phone calls,” Badenhorst asked.
MPs have called for the Hawks to broaden the probe beyond Mafe, suggesting possible accomplices or systemic security failures that allowed the breach. This push reflects doubts that Mafe acted entirely alone, given the scale of the damage.
Mental Health Status and Legal Process
According to Nkosi, Mafe confessed to starting the fire as a political act, reportedly referring to the State of the Nation Address as the “State of the Nonsense.” He demanded the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the release of convicted killer Janusz Waluś, while also calling for a R1,500 grant for all unemployed people in South Africa.
Medical assessments diagnosed Mafe with severe paranoid schizophrenia, and he was declared unfit to stand trial in 2024. His condition is being monitored, with the next psychiatric evaluation scheduled for September 2025.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has advised that Mafe remains under observation, with reports submitted periodically to assess if he can stand trial in the future.
Political Fallout and Infrastructure Recovery
The cost of rebuilding Parliament is still being assessed, but MPs expressed concern over the pace of the recovery and the broader implications of the fire for national heritage and governance.
The Hawks have concluded the bulk of the investigation and await medical clarity on whether Mafe may eventually be fit to stand trial.
“The matter remains under active monitoring, and all necessary legal procedures have been followed,” Nkosi said.
The parliamentary fire continues to raise questions about security at key state institutions, the readiness of emergency services, and the balance between law enforcement and mental health in criminal justice cases. With the rebuild progressing, there is hope that a more secure and resilient Parliament will emerge, but the ongoing probe into the fire serves as a reminder of vulnerabilities that need addressing to prevent future incidents.
🔴 Central News Special Edition | Issue 114 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: President Cyril Ramaphosa Fires Nobuhle Nkabane as Higher Education Minister, Appoints Buti Manamela
Download Here:
Direct PDF File Here:
https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Central-News-Issue-114-1.pdf
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
_________
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube
#centralnewsza #news #politics