Usindiso building fire: State witness set to take the stand
S’thembiso Mdlalose has been standing trial at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court for allegedly starting the fire.
Alleged Usindiso building arsonist Sthembiso Mdlalose (31) appears before the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Monday, 2 June 2025. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The trial of the man accused of setting alight the Usindiso building in Johannesburg's CBD continues on Thursday morning, with a State witness expected to take the stand.
S’thembiso Mdlalose has been standing trial at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court for allegedly starting the fire.
Mdlalose confessed to igniting the blaze, which killed 76 people at the hijacked building almost two years ago.
This week, the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court has been hearing testimony from fire experts investigating the cause of the deadly Usindiso building blaze.
Both experts testified that based on the tested debris samples, no traces of petrol or any other flammable liquid were found at the scene.
READ: It's possible illegal electricity connections sparked Usindiso building fire, says expert
This contradicts Mdlalose's confession, where he admitted to using petrol to spark the fire.
But this is the same confession he tried to retract in court, claiming he was under duress and under the influence of drugs when he admitted to the crime.
The court rejected his bid to have the confession ruled inadmissible.
More State witnesses are expected to testify on Thursday.