On Friday, February 14, 2025, Lawrance Sithembiso Mdlalose, the accused arsonist in charge of the Usindiso Building fire, appeared for the first time before the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, in Johannesburg.
Mdlalose, 30, is charged with 76 occupant deaths and 12 fatal injuries sustained in the fire. The accused testified and confessed to the magistrate during the commission of inquiry that was set up after the incident. After being captured on January 23, 2024, he was accused of 76 murders, one arson charge, and 12 attempted murders.
Colonel Andile Manganyi’s police investigation uncovered the circumstances that led to the building’s devastating fire, which claimed 76 lives and injured 12 more. On August 31, 2023, the accused—a building resident—allegedly got into a violent fight with someone going by the name of KB in a ground-floor room.
He allegedly attacked KB in order to get money for the drugs that KB had sold for him. The accused panicked, thinking KB was dead, as the attack continued until KB lost consciousness. After that, the accused went to buy petrol. He allegedly doused and set KB’s body on fire after returning. As the accused stood outside feigning innocence, the fire spread and consumed the building.
Some of the occupants leaped from the building as they screamed for assistance. Bodies that were badly burned and strewn all over the building were discovered in the aftermath. In order to confirm the accused’s legal representation and to allow for pre-trial proceedings, the case has been postponed until February 21, 2025.
