Usindiso fire trial: Court hears Mdlalose confessed because he wanted to find peace

JOHANNESBURG - The Palm Ridge Magistrates Court has heard that self-confessed Usindiso building arsonist, Sthembiso Mdlalose, confessed because he wanted to find peace.

State witness Pieter du Plesis, the magistrate to whom Mdlalose confessed in January 2024, detailed events surrounding Mdlalose's confession in court on Wednesday.

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Mdlalose is now trying to reverse his confession, claiming he was coerced into admitting to starting the fire that killed 76 people.

The court has been hearing a trial-within-a-trial to determine the admissibility of the confession.

When Mdlalose confessed at the commission of inquiry investigating the Usindiso building fire in 2024, he told the presiding officers that he came forward because the guilt was weighing heavily on him.

However, he is now claiming that he was coerced into making that confession, prompting a trial-within-a-trial to determine whether his confession is admissible.

Du Plessis maintains Mdlalose did not appear to be under any pressure when he admitted to the crime.

"He said he told the advocate, the commission, and the police what happened to find peace within himself. I even remarked to the interpreter when he left that with this information supplied, he probably opened a can of worms because I don’t think he would have been caught if he didn’t say what he said."

The trial continues on Thursday, with another State witness expected to take the stand.