Legal team of woman accused of setting Commissioner Str building fire says she feared for her life
Bonisiwe Gumede made her first appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Tuesday where she was officially charged with arson and two counts of murder.
The remains of a building at the corner of Nugget and Commissioner Street in Johannesburg following a fire on 21 January 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The legal team representing the 30-year-old woman accused of setting a residential building in the Johannesburg CBD ablaze, said that their client feared for her life.
Bonisiwe Gumede made her first appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Tuesday where she was officially charged with arson and two counts of murder.
It’s alleged that Gumede ignited the fire during a lover’s quarrel at the hijacked building in Commissioner Street on Sunday.
At least two people died in the flames, while more than 100 families were displaced.
During the court proceedings, Magistrate Nishani Beharie refused the application to film the proceedings in the interest of Gumede’s safety.
"Because the State is now saying that there's the possibility that it might interfere with investigations, I'm not going to allow photographs of her to be taken at this stage."
The case has been postponed for further investigation.
"The State is indicating that you are charged with two counts of murder, one of arson. This matter is postponed then to 30th of January, ma'am, for your address to be verified back to court number 20, this court. You shall remain in custody until then."