Accused Arsonist In Usindiso Fire Case Changes Testimony: ‘Sometimes I Admire My Lies’

At the Gauteng High Court sitting in Palm Ridge, Sthembiso Lawrence Mdlalose, the man accused of setting fire to the Usindiso building in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, changed his story.

The devastating blaze in August 2023 claimed 77 lives and left many injured. Mdlalose faces multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, and arson.

He initially confessed before the commission of inquiry led by former judge Sisi Khampepe and later to a magistrate, saying the fire began while he tried to burn a body in the basement.

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Despite his attempts to withdraw the confession, the high court ruled it admissible. On Wednesday, however, Mdlalose insisted he had fabricated the story.

Taking the stand, Mdlalose claimed his only crime was perjury. “The only crime that, my Lord, you can convict me on is perjury, lying under oath. That’s my only crime. I never killed anyone. There were never these statements, even this confession.

Sometimes when I sit back, I admire and say, ‘how good was I to be able to convince even the magistrate himself that I might have been the one who started the fire through this theory,’” he told the court.

Appearing emotional, Mdlalose explained that he confessed only to escape life on the streets.

“I just wanted a new life, maybe because prison would provide me with shelter [and] food. I couldn’t face it anymore that I’m staying on the street.”

Usindiso Fire: New Version of Events Presented in Court

Mdlalose testified that on the night of the fire, he was on the third floor of the building with friends when chaos erupted.

“We were on the third floor. We were just sitting around with some guys. We were occupying one of the rooms.

I don’t know how the fire started, but we heard people screaming. We then tried to get out of the room, also trying to ascertain what was happening.

When we opened the door, we saw there was a lot of commotion taking place and smoke in the passage.”

He also claimed that his “master” had once instructed him to buy petrol after witnessing an assault on a man whose head was covered with a brown sack.

“I went out, but I did not go to the garage for the petrol and I went to Loveday and Bree Street for gambling and returned to Usindiso around 10pm.”

The trial continues as the court weighs Mdlalose’s conflicting testimonies against his earlier confession.

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