Despite confessions, it's not a given that Sithembiso Mdlalose will plead guilty to starting Usindiso fire - lawyer
On Tuesday, Mdlalose told the commission of inquiry into the Usindiso building tragedy that he set the place on fire last August while trying to burn the body of a person he murdered.
A burnt out corridor in the illegally occupied Marshalltown building in the Johannesburg CBD after a fire. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The lawyer for Sithembiso Mdlalose said it was not a given that his client would plead guilty to starting the deadly Marshalltown fire, despite his confessions.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Mdlalose had also made a similar confession to them before a magistrate.
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Mdlalose made his first appearance at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Thursday, where he stands accused of 76 counts of premeditated murder, 86 counts of attempted murder and one of arson.
On Tuesday, he told the commission of inquiry into the Usindiso building fire that he was high on crystal meth when he murdered a person and later set the body alight.
Mdlalose’s legal representative, Dumisani Mabunda, said both of his client’s confessions were made voluntarily.
"All we can say is that we are going to cooperate with the State. What is of paramount importance for now is the safety of our client. Whether he is going to plead guilty or not will depend on my consultations with him and obviously based on further investigations on the matter."
The case has been postponed to next Thursday for verification of Mdlalose’s residential address and to set a date for a bail application.