NPA working to verify the true identity of alleged Usindiso arsonist

JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the Home Affairs Department is in the process of verifying the identity of the man allegedly behind the Usindiso building fire.

Last week, Sthembiso Mdlalose confessed to both the commission of inquiry probing the incident and the NPA that he started the blaze that killed 76 people in August last year.

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Despite Mdlalose telling the inquiry that he is 29 years of age, the NPA says he is 30 years old, while his lawyer has told the members of the media that the accused is 31.

The state also said the self-confessed arsonist had been linked to an address in Pimville, after Mdlalose gave the NPA two addresses, both of which prosecutors claimed to be non-existent.

He made his second appearance at the Johannesburg Central Magistrates Court on Thursday, where his lawyer announced he did not intend to apply for bail at this stage.

The state is still gathering evidence and the personal information of the self-confessed arsonist, but details pertaining to his date of birth and address remain sketchy.

NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said this would not be the case for long, as Home Affairs was verifying his identity.

“We were told it will take about a week for Home Affairs to conclude profiling him and handing over information to the police in terms of his status in the country.”

Mdlalose previously told the Marshalltown fire inquiry he matriculated in 2010, and that by 2013 he became addicted to drugs.

The case was postponed to 6 March for further investigations.