High Court rules arsonist confession admissible in Usindiso building case
The High Court sitting in Palm Ridge has ruled that the confession made by the man who admitted to starting the fire at the Usindiso building in Johannesburg can be used as evidence.
The court found that Sthembiso Mdlalose was of sober mind when he made the statement in January last year. 76 people died as a result of the blaze in 2023. Mdlalose initially said he was behind the disaster, but later back-tracked saying he was forced to confess.
But Judge Cassim Moosa has now ruled – in a trial within a trial – that the concession was made freely and voluntarily.
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