Usindiso building trial: Witness quashes defence's claim that accused was forced to confess
Sthembiso Mdlalose, who initially admitted to starting the fire that claimed 76 lives, is now attempting to retract that statement.
Self-confessed Usindiso Building Arsonist Sthembiso Mdlalose standing trial at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on 23 April 2025. Picture: Alpha Ramushwana/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - A State witness in the trial of the deadly Usindiso building fire has cast doubt on the defence's claim that the accused was coerced to make a confession.
Sthembiso Mdlalose, who initially admitted to starting the fire that claimed 76 lives, is now attempting to retract that statement.
He alleges that a drug lord he was working for at the time forced him to take the blame for the devastating fire that ripped through the hijacked building.
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The Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court held a trial within a trial on Wednesday to assess whether Mdlalose’s confession should be deemed inadmissible in court.
During proceedings on Wednesday, the prosecution called Magistrate Pieter du Plessis, who recorded Sthembiso Mdlalose’s confession in January 2024.
Du Plessis told the court that before giving the confession, Mdlalose confirmed that he was doing so freely and voluntarily.
He also pointed to Mdlalose’s demeanour on the day, saying his body language suggested remorse rather than fear.
"The fourth question I posed to him is, 'Were you threatened that any action would be taken against you or that you would be prejudiced in any way whatsoever should you decline to make a statement to a magistrate?' His answer again was 'no'."
Neither the State nor the defence has been able to locate the drug lord for whom Mdlalose allegedly took the fall.