4th January, 2022
A fire that ripped through South Africa’s parliament building over the weekend has been brought under control, the fire service said on Tuesday.
The blaze initially broke out on Sunday and was believed to have been brought under control, but the strong wind had fanned the flames and led to another flare-up on Monday evening.
It was finally extinguished just after midnight, fire service spokesman, Jermaine Carelse told broadcaster eNCA.
A 49-year-old man who was arrested inside the building was due to appear before a magistrate on Tuesday. He is charged with burglary, arson and theft.
The costs of rebuilding the historic structure were estimated at several hundred million dollars.
The blaze destroyed the National Assembly chamber and many offices within the building.
dpa/NAN