- Kgosi Herbert is supposedly an undercover agent in Cape town who works with the explosive and combat rescue team and received training in Russia and China
- On January 2, 2022, when the South African parliament was set ablaze, the suspect arrested in place of Kgosi Herbert turned out to be Zandile Christmas Mafe
- Though over a period of trial, Zandile has proven to be innocent, the state used a scapegoating phenomenon to hold him captive until his next hearing on May 12, 2022
While the identity of Kgosi Herbert and Zandile Christmas Mafe may have been interchanged, it’s been said that the former is a special agent who works with explosive training and combat rescue service. Unfortunately, Zandile who has been arrested for setting South Africa’s parliament ablaze is believed to be an innocent unemployed man who spends some of his nights on the streets of Khayelitsha, Cape Town.
The accused has persistently proclaimed his innocence. Moreover, family members and friends identify him as a non-violent man who isn’t capable of such actions. In addition, his defense attorney suspects the old tradition of political scapegoating of powerless victims to cover up for their incompetence using unreliable evidence.
Today, Kgosi’s Herbert unlawful arrest leaves many unanswered questions. What caused the tragic fire? Was Zandile coincidentally around the building at the same time as the blaze? Is Kgosi Herbert’s true identity Zandile Christmas Mafe?. Here’s all you need to know.
Zandile Was Falsely Arrested for Burning the Parliament in Cape Town under the Identity Kgosi Herbert
Zandile was arrested the same day the South African parliament was set ablaze destroying the Old and New Assembly building. His real identity was said to be Kgosi Herbert who is an allegedly trained operative that works with an explosive and combat rescue team. However, this turned out to be fake news as Zandile was discovered to be an unemployed man who sometimes lives on the streets of Cape Town.
The falsified news claimed that Zandile’s real name is Kgosi Herbert Ramu and had spent 15 years training with the Russian army and 4 years with the explosive department in China. Also, the claims added that he had spent two years in Cape Town as an undercover agent to execute his plans. Several crimes have also been associated with him including theft, housebreaking, and illegal possession of explosives.
News of Zandile as a suspect has attracted attention from family members, friends, and even neighbors who know him to be a reserved man. Octavia Mafe made a post on Facebook confirming that he is her long-lost uncle whom they’ve been searching for.
Also, his brother revealed in an interview that Zandile isn’t a violent person and wouldn’t have been involved in such a hideous crime adding that his brother has never traveled to China or Russia for any form of work.
Zandile Bail Application has been Denied by the Cape Town Regional Court
As stated, even though claims of Zandile being Kgosi Herbert have been refuted by family and friends, Zandile is still in the state’s custody. The matter was postponed for a week to further access the authenticity of the news and also provide evidence. Items found in his poorly arranged apartment such as an ANC T-shirt, old newspapers from the 1980s, and posters requesting the release of Janusz Walus, who was sentenced for Chris Hani’s murder were used against him. Also, he was accused of stealing laptops, crockery, and important document from the parliament.
On his second court appearance, Zandile was charged with two counts of arson, burglary, and theft but his lawyer, Luvuyo Godla reported that his client denied the charges and was going to prove not guilty. Zandile’s defense team added that he is an innocent victim of a political gambit who is used as a scapegoat.
After several trials, he was charged with terrorism and considered a threat to himself and society. On March 15, 2022, forensic investigators were granted access to the parliament and reportedly claimed that the evidence retrieved will be ready at the next court appearance. The National Prosecuting Authority has stated intentions to oppose the bail appeal which is slated for May 12, 2022.
Other Facts about the Alleged Kgosi Herbert
1. He is a School Drop out
Zandile was born on December 24, 1972, and raised alongside his three siblings in Mafikeng, North West. He lost his parents at a very young age and was cared for by aunt Nomfu Elsie Matiwane who is now in her early 70s.
Due to hardship, he drop out of Lapologang secondary school in grade 11 and relocated to Cape Town to search for better opportunities. Zandile is currently 52 years old and his known family members are Khalephile Mafe, Alfred Matiwane, and Zamile Matiwane
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2. The Suspected Kgosi Herbert once worked in a bakery
When Zandile moved to Cape Town, he was employed by an Albile bakery to do some menial jobs around the Khayelitsha area. However, in 2020 following the COVID 19 lockdown, he lost his job, and his livelihood became very difficult. He lived off the streets and survived eating leftover food from eateries.
3. Zandile Christmas Mafe was Unlawfully Taken to a Psychiatric Hospital for Observation
Since Zandile reportedly slept on the streets, many consider him mentally ill. He was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was admitted for mental observation at the Valkenberg psychiatric hospital for 30-days following a court order as confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
This was considered an illegal action on the suspect, and his transfer to Pollsmoor Correctional Centre was ordered by the High court.
4. Alleged Kgosi Herbert Family have been in search of him
As stated, when Zandile left for Cape Town, things didn’t turn out as he had planned. He reportedly lost contact with his family and friends for many years until pictures of his arrest made headlines. His family has located him and provided information regarding his identity.
5. Is He Married?
The 52 years old is yet to tie the knot with any woman. Before his arrest, Zandile was struggling to make ends meet. However, Mbinde Andoni was his former lover. She has joined hands with his family and friends to advocate for his release.
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