Johannesburg – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Thursday said it had secured the confession of the drug user who told the ongoing Commission of Inquiry into the cause of the fire at the Usindiso building that he started the inferno that killed over 70 people.
Arson and multiple murder accused 29-year-old Sthembiso Lawrence Mdlalose made his first appearance at the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The accused is facing serious charges including arson, 76 counts of murder, and 86 counts of attempted murder.
During the ongoing inquiry, Mdlalose confessed to starting the fire at the Usindiso building in Johannesburg Central on 31 August 2023.
He told the inquiry that he set the building on fire when he tried to burn the body of a person he had strangled.
Mdlalose was arrested on Tuesday after his shocking confession.
However, evidence led in the inquiry can not be used in a criminal matter, which prompted the NPA to carry out its own investigations into Mdlalose’s claims.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said Mdlalose made his confession before a magistrate on Wednesday.
“As the prosecution, we can’t rely on the evidence that was presented at the commission, so the state is currently busy with its own investigations,” Mjonondwane told reporters.
“But with what we have at our disposal, we were able to place the matter before the court.
“We can confirm that a confession has been (made) in front of a magistrate.
“It therefore meets the requirements of section 217 of the Criminal Procedures Act.”
Speaking to reporters outside the court Thursday, Mdlalose’s lawyer, Dumisani Mabunda, said he has a copy of the confession his client made before a magistrate.
“It was only given to me this morning,” Mabunda said.
Retired Justice Sisi Khampepe is presiding over the inquiry into the August 2023 deadly Usindiso building fire that claimed at least 76 lives and left many others injured and homeless.
Mdlalose’s case has been postponed to 2 February 2024, for profiling of the accused in preparation for the formal bail hearing.
