[7] A 49-year-old male suspect was arrested on 2 January by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), colloquially known as the Hawks.

[8][9] The suspect is currently facing charges of arson, housebreaking, and theft under the National Key Points Act, and was due to appear in court on 4 January.

[10] After a brief appearance in the Cape Town Magistrates' Court, the suspect Zandile Christmas Mafe was remanded into custody until 11 January, pending a bail application and further investigation of the circumstances of the fire.

[21] On 10 January, Mapisa-Nqakula announced that National Assembly sittings, including Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Budget Speech in February, will be held in the Good Hope Chamber.

According to an affidavit given to investigators after his arrest and read out to the court, Mafe said that it was "the right thing" to set parliament on fire as he wanted to prevent Ramaphosa from delivering his annual SONA.

Members of Parliament were to receive offices and new equipment to complete their work as soon as possible, according to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.