Man accused of starting Usindiso building fire set to take the stand
S’thembiso Mdlalose is standing trial at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court for his alleged involvement in starting the fire that killed more than 70 people in 2023.
Sthembiso Mdlalose, the man who admitted to setting the Usindiso Building on fire that killed 76 people, in court on 14 February 2024. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini / Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - It’s a big day in the Usindiso building fire trial, with the man accused of setting the hijacked block of flats alight expected to take the stand.
Thirty-one-year-old S’thembiso Mdlalose is standing trial at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court for his alleged involvement in starting the fire that killed more than 70 people in 2023.
Mdlalose was pinned as the main suspect after confessing to being behind the blaze.
He is now, however, trying to reverse his own confession, claiming he was coerced to take the fall by a dangerous drug lord.
READ: Self-confessed Usindiso building fire arsonist pleads not guilty to murder, arson
The last time Mdlalose spoke publicly, he admitted to being responsible for the devastating fire during a sitting of the commission of inquiry into the tragic Usindiso building blaze.
He’s expected to take the stand in court on Wednesday morning, but on a completely different note from the last time he spoke in front of a panel of judges.
This time, Mdlalose is attempting to persuade the court to rule his confession inadmissible, claiming he was under the influence of drugs when he confessed and that he was coerced into making the statement.
State witness, Hamilton Moloto, who is the evidence leader who recorded Mdlalose’s confession at the commission of inquiry, recounte the day Mdlalose confessed.
"He was articulate, and he looked composed as he was talking. However, he did look anxious and nervous."
Mdlalose has pleaded not guilty to all charges of arson, murder and attempted murder.