Train arson suspect sent for psychiatric assessment

Court case postponed until 2 May

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Photo of court
The Cape Town Magistratesā€™ Court, where the accused in the train arson case appeared briefly on Wednesday. Photo: Barbara Maregele

Thobela Xoseni, the 30-year-old man accused of torching a dozen carriages on two train sets at Cape Town Station on Sunday, has been referred to the stateā€™s district surgeon for psychiatric assessment.

Xoseni made a brief first appearance at the Cape Town Magistratesā€™ Court on Wednesday.

The magistrate advised Xoseni to get a Legal Aid lawyer as the matter was ā€œvery seriousā€ and ā€œwould end up in the regional courtā€.

Dressed in a weathered black T-shirt and dishevelled blazer, Xoseni could be heard mumbling incoherently to a translator and lawyer during a brief consultation in court.

Prosecutor Melaney Wells told the court that while patrolling the platforms, rail security guards had noticed the smoke.

ā€œThe state is also informed that there is video footage of the accused leaving the carriage,ā€ she said.

Xoseni will remain in custody at Cape Town police station until his next appearance on 2 May.

In a statement, the United National Transport Union (UNTU) called for harsh sentences for any person who damages essential infrastructure.

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TOPICS:  Crime Transport

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