Court hears final arguments in trial within a trial of Usindiso alleged arsonist
The Palm Ridge Magistrates Court has been hearing the matter where S'thembiso Mdlalose is trying to retract his confession.
FILE: Sthembiso Mdlalose, the man who admitted to setting the Usindiso Building on fire that killed 76 people, in court. Picture: Simphiwe Nkosi/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The state and defence are presenting final arguments in the trial within a trial of self-confessed Usindiso building arsonist S’thembiso Mdlalose.
The Palm Ridge Magistrates Court has been hearing the matter where Mdlalose is trying to retract his confession.
The 31-year-old was arrested in 2024 after admitting to starting the fire which killed 76 people in the Johannesburg CBD.
Mdlalose now claims he was coerced into confessing.
READ: Self-confessed Usindiso building arsonist pleads not guilty to murder, arson charges
Mdlalose is hoping to walk free as he seeks to have his confession ruled inadmissible in court.
The state has presented multiple witnesses, all of whom testified that Mdlalose did not appear intoxicated or under duress when he gave his confession.
In presenting the state’s arguments, prosecutor Thami Mpekane believes Mdlalose has failed to provide sufficient justification to prove his confession was not made voluntarily.
“I was making a submission with regards to the duress that he was forced by this master person to make a confession statement. The state submits that this cannot be correct and reasonably possible.”
The court is expected to issue a ruling on the admissibility of Mdlalose’s confession.