Man claiming to be responsible for Usindiso building fire due in court soon
The 29-year-old was arrested on Tuesday after telling the commission of inquiry into the fire that he murdered a person and set the body alight, leading to the flames spreading rapidly and killing over 70 people.
FILE: The Usindiso building in Johannesburg following a deadly fire in August 2023. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - A man who claims to be responsible for the fire that ravaged a five-story building in the Johannesburg CBD where over 70 people died is due to appear in court soon.
The 29-year-old was arrested on Tuesday after he revealed this during the commission of inquiry into the Usindiso building fire.
ALSO READ: Evidence from uSindiso building fire witnesses can't be used in court or by police - evidence leader
He told the commission he killed a person and then set fire to the body in a bid to destroy the evidence of the crime.
This resulted in the flames spreading rapidly through the hijacked building.
The commission was established by the Gauteng government to probe the cause of the August 2023 fire.
“He is expected to appear before Johannesburg court soon on charges of arson, 76 counts of murder, and 120 counts of attempted murder. Police investigations continue,” said the police's Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi.