Cape death blaze case adjourned

More than 150 firefighters tackled the blaze

A British tourist accused of causing a fatal fire on Table Mountain, South Africa, by dropping a cigarette end has appeared before Cape Town magistrates.

Anthony Cooper, 36, from Brighton, is accused of arson and culpable homicide after an elderly woman died in the fire in January.

More than 150 firefighters together with water-carrying helicopters struggled to bring it under control.

The case was adjourned but no date was set for another hearing.

'Right to speedy trial'

It is alleged Mr Coopers flicked a burning cigarette into the brush and was seen by mountain rangers who eventually arrested him.

Mr Reaz Khan, defending, told magistrate Herman Van der Merwe that his client, arrested on 26 January, had a right to a speedy trial.

"Clearly there was negligence on the state's side regarding the state of the investigation," he said.

"There is no excuse for today's postponement."

But the case was adjourned after Juanita Swart, prosecuting, said the state was waiting for a witness statement and fire report.

The family of the victim, a British woman, has asked for her name not to be released.