Man who confessed to starting Marshalltown building fire charged with premeditated murder, arson

JOHANNESBURG - The man who confessed to starting the deadly Marshalltown building fire has been charged with 76 counts of premeditated murder, 86 counts of attempted murder and one of arson. 

Thirty-year-old Sithembiso Mdlalose made his first appearance at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Thursday. 

On Tuesday, Mdlalose told the Marshalltown commission of inquiry that he set the building on fire to burn the body of a person he murdered. 

He was arrested by police a few hours after his testimony.

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Mdlalose arrived in court draped in a dirty grey windbreaker and an orange T-shirt.

His short, unkempt hair was covered with lint as he made his first appearance in the dock.

The media’s application to film Thursday’s court proceedings was denied.

The matter has been postponed to 1 February for the State to verify Mdlalose’s residential address and set a date for a formal bail hearing. 

The State indicated that Mdlalose’s bail application would be dealt with under schedule six, meaning he has to show exceptional circumstances for his release.