The man who deliberately set four fires on Table Mountain last week will be referred for a psychiatric evaluation before his criminal case continues.
Bernard Yumbu Ndombele, 32, is believed to work as a car guard on Table Mountain road. He was arrested on 4 April after setting four fires on Table Mountain, which cost R400 000 to extinguish.
According to reports, he told police that he set the fires for religious purposes. In his first court appearance he said he had been “commanded to deliver a message”.
Ndombele made his second appearance in Cape Town Magistrate’s Court yesterday, dressed in a shiny red tracksuit and fashionable black spectacles. Court officials called him “fire man”.
He apologised for his actions to the court.
“I would like to apologise, my Lord. I am very sorry for my actions,” he said. “I would like to apologise to fellow South Africans for taking away what belongs to them. It will never happen again.”
Public Prosecutor Adiel Jansen asked that the case be postponed to ascertain if there was a bed available at Valkenberg Hospital for Ndombele to undergo psychiatric evaluation.
Magistrate Joe Magele said the accused would remain in custody at Pollsmoor prison until his next court appearance on May 11th.
Picture: Twitter