The woman who stands accused of arson and murder after the fire at the Express building on Nugget and Commissioner Street in Joburg CBD has abandoned her bail application. Bonisiwe Gumede appeared briefly in a court gallery filled with family members of the deceased who are still awaiting DNA results so that they can bury loved ones.

Gumede pitched in brown corn rows, wearing a blue track top, grey track pants and multi coloured sneakers. She walked boldly into the gallery and passed the victims' family who were less than a metre away from her without taking a glance at them. The state prosecutor reminded the court that the matter was previously postponed to verify the address of the accused for bail purposes however, the defence said her client would be abandoning bail. "I stand on behalf of the accused and can confirm that I received instruction from my client that she will at this point be abandoning bail, "said the defence.

Shortly after the next court date was announced, the family of one of the deceased, Sizwe Cele who died with his partner left the gallery in tears. The aunt of the deceased Lenah Nzimande said they were in pain daily. "As each day passes the condition of the body changes especially because it was burnt. Last week, they promised us that the DNA results would be out but when we got to Hillbrow SAPS where the investigating officer asked to meet with us, we still got nothing. It's really hard for the family, especially for his sister, who is in tears every single day and is even starting to lose weight because of all the stress." Nzimande said. Gumede is facing two counts of murder and a charge of arson after two people were burnt beyond recognition, five others were injured and more than a hundred families displaced due to the incident. The matter will be back again in court early March.