Commissioner Street fire: Family of man burnt to death says alleged arsonist unremorseful

JOHANNESBURG - The family of a man who was burnt beyond recognition during a recent fire in the Johannesburg CBD says the woman who allegedly started the blaze failed to show remorse.

Sizwe Cele and his girlfriend were the only people who died in the fire over the weekend at the hijacked building.

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The woman accused of starting the blaze has been identified as Bonisiwe Gumede, who faces two counts of murder and a charge of arson.

Gumede allegedly set one of the rooms at the overcrowded building alight during a dispute with her lover on Sunday.

She made her first appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Standing in the dock with her hands in the pockets of an oversized beige jacket, Gumede nodded as the magistrate explained that she could face life imprisonment if found guilty.

Meanwhile, watching from the gallery, an inconsolable Wenzi Cele cried as her brother's alleged killer stood shaking in the dock.

Sizwe and his partner died in the flames after Gumede allegedly threw paraffin during an argument with her boyfriend next door.

Cele's uncle, Msongelo Mnisi, said they were battling to come to terms with the ordeal.

"When we see her, it seems as if she has no remorse for what she has done. I mean, that’s very painful.

“The sibling of the deceased, you know, she can’t contain herself - she is very devastated. You even think that maybe, as a family, we need to get counselling."

The fire spread rapidly, burning the entire building, while the pair's remains are yet to be identified.

Gumede is expected back in court next week.