Usindiso Fire: Arson trial resumes as survivors prepare to testify

The trial of the man accused of igniting the deadly fire at the Usindiso building in the Johannesburg CBD resumed on June 2 at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court, with more witnesses expected to take the stand.

Sthembiso Mdlalose, who previously admitted to starting the blaze, faces multiple charges including murder, attempted murder, and arson.

The fire, which tore through the five-storey building in August 2023, claimed the lives of more than 70 people and left dozens injured.

The tragedy shocked the nation and highlighted the dangers posed by unsafe, hijacked buildings in the inner city. Mdlalose’s trial, which began earlier this year, has already featured explosive testimony and the reading of his confession. In the statement, Mdlalose claimed that the fire was not intended to kill others.

According to his account, he had allegedly killed a man on the ground floor of the building and set the body alight to destroy evidence.

The resulting fire quickly spread through the overcrowded structure, with fatal consequences. In previous court sessions, the defence attempted to have the confession thrown out, arguing that it had been made under duress.

However, the magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution, allowing the statement to be admitted as evidence. That ruling is expected to be a key factor in the State’s case as it seeks to prove Mdlalose's intent and responsibility for the catastrophic blaze. The court will now turn its attention to eyewitness testimony from survivors of the fire.

These personal accounts are anticipated to paint a harrowing picture of the events that unfolded on the night of the blaze, including desperate attempts to escape the smoke-filled corridors and the chaos that ensued.

Prosecutors are expected to argue that Mdlalose’s actions directly led to the deaths and injuries, regardless of whether he intended the full scope of the destruction. They have framed the case as not only about arson but about reckless disregard for human life in one of the worst residential fires in recent South African history.

The Usindiso building, once a government-owned property, had been illegally occupied and was in a dilapidated state at the time of the fire.

The tragedy sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of urban decay and the ongoing problem of hijacked buildings, particularly in Johannesburg’s inner city.

Civil society organisations and housing advocates have called for greater oversight and intervention in the management of abandoned buildings, warning that without urgent action, similar incidents could occur. As the trial progresses, it continues to draw significant public and media interest.

The outcome may not only determine the fate of the accused but could also set a precedent for how similar cases involving derelict properties and preventable disasters are handled in the future.

Court proceedings are expected to continue on June 5, with more survivor testimonies scheduled and forensic evidence likely to be presented in the coming days.