Parliament fire: State challenges jurisdiction of urgent Zandile Mafe bail application

The State does not think Parliament arson-accused Zandile Mafe has the right to leapfrog other courts to apply for bail at the Western Cape High Court. 

"It is with respect submitted that this court does not have inherent jurisdiction to hear the matter," the State submitted in its papers opposing Mafe's lawyers' urgent approach to the Western Cape High Court this past Saturday.

"To exercise jurisdiction in this matter would be to usurp the functions of the lower courts," the State argued.