Marshalltown self-confessed arsonist's life at risk, says lawyer

JOHANNESBURG - The lawyer of the alleged arsonist behind the Usindiso building fire in the Johannesburg CBD says he's still studying the confessions his clients made.

Earlier in the week, Sithembiso Mdlalose told the Commission of Inquiry into the fire and the National Prosecuting Authority that he set the building alight in August 2023.

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Mdlalose said that he was trying to burn a body of a person he had murdered. However, the fire got out of control, and it rapidly spread, resulting in the deaths of over 70 people.

He appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate Court on Thursday on charges of 76 counts of premeditated murder, 86 counts of attempted murder, and one count of arson.

Mdlalose's legal representative, Dumisani Mabunda, said his client's life is in danger.

“A lot of people died here, and under normal circumstances, family members are aggrieved, and obviously, there are people that are not happy. 

“As [he] mentions, now, there is a drug lord, and all of that, so, therefore, his safety is very important - it’s at risk, basically.”