Alpha Ramushwana1 February 2024 | 13:58

Usindiso building fire arsonist sent to scene for pointing out exercise

Sthembiso Mdlalose was arrested last week after he claimed to be behind the raging inferno that killed 76 people last August.

Usindiso building fire arsonist sent to scene for pointing out exercise

A view of a hijacked building in the Johannesburg CBD. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - The man who confessed to being behind the deadly Usindiso building fire is expected to visit the scene of the blaze on Thursday to point out evidence to investigating officers.

Sthembiso Mdlalose was arrested last week after he claimed to be behind the raging inferno that killed 76 people last August.

He made his second appearance in the Johannesburg Central Magistrates Court on Thursday where he abandoned his bail application.

Mdlalose’s lawyer Dumisani Mabunda has confirmed to members of the media that they’ll be heading to the gutted building on Thursday. 

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Police arrived at the Usindiso building where Eyewitness News understands Mdlalose will be showing the investigating officers how he started the blaze.

His lawyer Dumisani Mabunda said this forms part of the State’s investigations as the National Prosecuting Authority is still gathering evidence.

"The State wants to investigate, in actual fact, by going to the building concerned for the accused to do what we call pointing out. He has to indicate to the police what happened, at what stage and he points out those particular scenes."

The alleged arsonist previously told the Marshalltown fire inquiry that he started the fire while attempting to burn the body of a person he allegedly murdered on the ground floor of the five-storey building.