Usindiso building fire: State witness says Mdlalose was 'genuinely remorseful' about the incident
Magistrate Pieter du Plessis, who recorded Mdlalose’s confession about starting the fire, took the stand on Tuesday at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court.
Pieter du Plessis, the senior magistrate who recorded Sthembiso Mdlalose’s confession, gave testimonial evidence on behalf of the State on 23 April 2025. Picture: Alpha Ramushwana/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - A State witness in the Usindiso building fire trial has testified that the accused arsonist, Sthembiso Mdlalose, has expressed sincere remorse and regret for the deadly blaze.
Magistrate Pieter du Plessis, who recorded Mdlalose’s confession about starting the fire, took the stand on Tuesday at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
He believes that Mdlalose’s remorse during the confession was genuine, indicating he had accepted responsibility for the fire that tore through the hijacked building in Marshalltown.
Mdlalose is currently on trial, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and arson.
READ: Alleged arsonist apologises in confession to all those affected by Usindiso building fire
Although Mdlalose confessed twice to starting the fire at the Usindiso building, he now claims that the contents of his confession are not true because he was coerced into taking the blame.
But Du Plessis, who recorded Mdlalose's confession last year, said that Mdlalose's demeanour at the time clearly indicated deep regret for igniting the fire.
"The only impression I was left with by the accused was of a man who had not realised what his consequence was when he did what he did. He was genuinely remorseful. He was breaking down and crying."
He said that on the day the confession was recorded, he asked Mdlalose multiple times whether he wanted to amend his statement, but Mdlalose declined to make any changes.
This was intended to support the prosecution’s claim that Mdlalose was responsible for the blaze.