Usindiso building fire: Self-confessed arsonist due back in court

JOHANNESBURG - The man who confessed to setting fire to the Usindiso building in Johannesburg CBD is back in court on Monday for the continuation of his trial.

Sthembiso Mdlalose is standing trial at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court, facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and arson.

This is in connection with the raging blaze that tore through the hijacked building in August 2023, killing more than 70 people.

State witnesses are expected to continue giving oral testimony, with survivors of the deadly blaze expected to take the stand.

In May, Mdlalose's confession statement was read out in court, which detailed how he allegedly ignited the inferno.

He claims he was trying to burn a body of a man he had murdered on the ground floor of the five-storey building, not knowing the fire would kill many other people.

Mdlalose had been trying to reverse this confession statement, but the court ruled in favour of the State's submissions, which sought to have the confession declared admissible.

The court will hear the chilling experiences of those who survived the blaze.