Sthembiso Mdlalose, the accused in the Usindiso Building fire, appeared briefly in the Johannesburg High Court today, where the matter was set for pre-trial on Friday morning. But the matter had to be postponed because he did not have a defence council.

CHARGES

Mdlalose (31) is facing 76 counts of murder, 86 of attempted murder, and arson. In 2024, the unexpected happened when Mdlalose confessed to starting the fire that claimed more than 50 lives in 2023. Mdlalose's matter was postponed because his defence from 2024, Dumisani Mabunda, withdrew from the case and left him without representation. The judge presiding over the matter, Richard Mkhabela, ordered Legal Aid to assist Mdlalose in acquiring a legal team before his next appearance.

DELAYS

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said if Legal Aid appoints a legal representative for him by next week Friday, then the matter will sit for a pre-trial conference where both parties will state their readiness in terms of moving forward to the next stage. The father of the accused previously told ZiMoja that his son had admitted to having a fight, stabbing and burning someone in the building but denied having caused the fire that claimed the lives of 76 people. In the previous court appearance, his former defence, Mabunda, told the media outside court that the accused made another statement that was contradictory to his initial confession before his arrest. "Our client made another statement that was contradictory to his initial confession. He was previously ill-advised because he did not have a legal representative," he said at the time. The matter was postponed to 24 February.