Usindiso building fire: NPA says Mdlalose's confession not the only evidence linking him to the crime
On Monday, the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court dismissed S’thembiso Mdlalose’s bid to have his confession declared inadmissible.
Sthembiso Mdlalose, the man who admitted to setting the Usindiso Building on fire that killed 76 people, in court on 14 February 2024. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini / Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the confession made by the alleged Usindiso building arsonist, in which he admits to starting the fire, is not the only evidence linking him to the crime.
On Monday, the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court dismissed S’thembiso Mdlalose’s bid to have his confession declared inadmissible.
He claimed he was high on drugs when he admitted to starting the fire that killed 76 people, and also alleged he was coerced into taking the blame.
After two weeks of debates between the state and the defence, the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court finally ruled that Mdlalose made his confession freely and voluntarily.
Mdlalose hoped that his confession statement, declared inadmissible, would improve his chances of the court giving him a not guilty verdict.
However, NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said Mdlalose’s strategy was never likely to succeed, as the state possesses a wealth of evidence connecting him to the crime.
“Whether the confession was admissible or not, we would still continue as the state because we knew that we could not only rely on the confession to probe our case.”
Mdlalose’s trial is set to continue on Tuesday, with the magistrate who recorded his confession expected to take the witness stand.
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