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CPT emergency services praised as Parliamentary fire dies, one suspect detained

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Operations to extinguish the blaze at Parliament, deemed a “national tragedy”, have been downscaled on Monday morning.
Government dignitaries flocked to the scene of the Parliamentary precinct on Sunday, where an extensive fire ripped through the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. Internally, the National Assembly has been extensively destroyed by fire, water, heat and smoke.
Resources were deployed en masse, with President Cyril Ramaphosa praising the response by Western Cape officials and assuring that the work of Parliament will continue. Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the council chamber will be made available to the speaker for sittings of the National Assembly, as well as the City Hall and Grand Parade for the upcoming State of the Nation Address in February. Ramaphosa had set a tentative date of February 10, 2022.
“Notwithstanding the damage that has been done to this precinct, the work of Parliament will carry on. While these investigations continue, I believe we are united as a nation in our sadness at this destruction of the home of our democracy.”

“We appreciate the speedy response of the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town in mobilising the response to this emergency. The real praise and applause belongs to the fire officials and crews of the City of Cape Town who have done a great job. While they have worked to stop Parliament from being razed to ashes, it is very clear that this fire has devastated the parliamentary precinct and its contents and assets, including Parliament’s historical treasures of heritage,” he added.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille confirmed that the Hawks have taken over investigations after a 49-year-old man was arrested in connection to the fire. He allegedly entered the Parliamentary complex by breaking a back window and was found in possession of stolen property. He is due to appear on charges of housebreaking, theft and arson, as well as under the National Key Point Act on Tuesday.

Hawks Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo said the suspect was allegedly caught with suspected stolen property after gaining unauthorised entry into the parliamentary precinct.

“He was spotted by members of the Protection and Security Services (PSS) when they noticed the building was on fire. The matter was referred to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) team for further investigation. The motive for his actions is subject to investigation. He is due to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate court on Tuesday, 4 January 2022.”

The DA has since called for an independent investigation into the blaze. The party also sang praise for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue services and the Western Cape’s emergency teams for the efficient response to the blaze, saying that they have made the nation proud.

The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse this morning confirmed that resources were reduced from 9pm last night. Less than a dozen firefighters are putting out the remainder of flare ups on the 4th floor of the National Assembly.

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