The father of Sithembiso Mdlalose, the man accused of starting the fire that claimed the lives of 76 people at Usindiso building in downtown Joburg, says the case is taking a toll on his health. He said he has a lot of questions for his son but it's clear that Sithembiso is not willing to clarify certain things to him since he faces such a serious offence. Mdlalose appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today.

"MAYBE I'LL DIE TOO"

Speaking to ZiMoja, the father of the accused said he warned his son to return to their rural home because Joburg life had started to consume him. "As we speak, I now have to frequent the clinic because my high blood pressure is very high and the nurses even suggested that I get counselling. I keep wondering what could have led him to a life like this, where did I go wrong as a father, how is my son standing accused of such a gruesome crime?" the father asked. The father of the accused blamed drugs for the way Sthembiso's life turned out. "I told him that Jozi life was consuming him and asked him to go back to KZN and he went back for a short while before stealing from my brother and eventually escaping. The last time I visited him he told me that he was selling drugs for a certain man and the man he fought with and ended up choking had a drug debt that he had to pay. He said he brought drugs for one of the deceased who had placed an order and they smoked together but when he demanded money for payment, a scuffle broke out and that's when the worst happened, he chocked the deceased to death and burnt his body," said the father. The father added that he wished the accused's mother was still alive and just maybe Sthembiso would tell her what really happened.

ALMOST DONE

State prosecutor Tshepo Mahange Ka Mzizi told the court that they were left with one final stage of investigations. "We are left with only three bodies to complete our DNA evidence process out of all the deceased. We therefore ask for a postponement for a finalisation of the state's case as well the DNA," said the state. Mdlalose faces 76 charges of murder, 86 of attempted murder and one charge of arson after he allegedly confessed to starting the fire in August last year while trying to burn the body of a person he had killed earlier.