Usindiso building arsonist case postponed for trial

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The accused in the case of arson at the Usindiso building made his first appearance before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Sthembiso Lawrence Mdlalose, 31, is facing multiple counts ranging from one count of arson, 76 counts of murder and 86 counts of attempted murder, NPA regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed.

“Mdlalose confessed to starting the fire at the Usindiso building in Johannesburg Central on August 31, 2023. The fire claimed lives and left many others injured and homeless. The building is believed to be one of the hijacked buildings in Johannesburg,” she said.

Mjonondwane stated that the case emanates from his testimony before the Commission of Inquiry into the cause of the fire at the Usindiso building, led by Justice Sisi Khampepe.

She added; “He was arrested on Tuesday, and adduced a confession before a Magistrate on Wednesday. The case has been postponed to Friday, February 2 for profiling of the accused in preparation for the formal bail hearing.”

TimesLIVE reported that the accused claimed at the inquiry that he had beaten and strangled another resident while high on drugs at the behest of a drug lord. He poured petrol on the body and started a fire to cover up the murder. This rapidly spread, leading to the inferno which devastated the building on August 31.

The apartment block on the corner Delvers and Albert streets was owned by the City of Johannesburg and served as a shelter for abused women and children.

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The public inquiry into the disaster is taking evidence on the fire and the wider issue of unsafe buildings and is due to report later this year.

On Monday, Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda said 188 “bad” buildings were being investigated, with 134 of them in the inner city.