Mafi faces charges of breaking into a house with intent to commit terrorist acts, arson, terrorism, arson and theft. He has been held since January 2 last year, after a fire destroyed the National Assembly building in Cape Town.
His cousin, Sipongil Matewan, said Mavi fell on hard times during the difficult Covid-19 lockdown in 2021.
He took refuge outside Parliament, where he was arrested on suspicion of arson.