Fire at South Africa's parliament flares up again

Police charged a 49-year-old man with arson and other offences including theft and he was expected to appear in court on Tuesday (January 4). The speaker of the National Assembly said arson, if confirmed, would represent an attack on the country's democracy.

"The fire and rescue service confirms that the fire at parliament has flared up. The void beneath the roof sheeting of the National Assembly is on fire," a spokesman for the city's fire services said on Monday afternoon.

Sunday's (January 2) fire caused the roof of the New Wing housing the lower chamber National Assembly to collapse. The roof of the Old Wing, which dates back to 1884 and houses the upper chamber National Council of Provinces (NCOP), also partially collapsed.