The case of the man accused of setting ANC headquarters Luthuli House alight was postponed in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Friday.

The case was postponed to 6 February next year in order for Wa-Salani Wahalata, who is facing charges of arson, to obtain a mental evaluation.

Neatly dressed, wearing spectacles and carrying a red packet, Wahalata told the court he wanted to speak to the media, pointing at a Sapa reporter.

"When I was arrested I was not allowed once to speak to the media, but I want to talk to them, so I can tell my story," Wahalata said.

Magistrate SP Bezuidenhout told Wahalata that if he wished to speak to the media he should make an appointment with reporters.

According to Wahalata's attorney, Jongikhaya Gwe, Wahalata said his reason for allegedly setting the ANC headquarters alight was because he was very "angry" with Nelson Mandela.

He said the former president had not accepted certain papers about a former Mozambican president a few years ago. He also claimed to have been jailed for 27 years during the apartheid struggle. There was however no record of this.

Sapa