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Survivors and locals walk past the gutted block at the Usindiso building in Johannesburg after the blaze on August 30, 2023.
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The trial of a man accused of starting the fire at the Usindiso building in Johannesburg that claimed 76 lives in 2023 continues in the High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge on the East Rand, today.
Sithembiso Mdlalose faces 76 counts of murder, 86 of attempted murder and arson.
Earlier this month, the court ruled that the confession the accused made, wherein he implicated himself as the one who started the fire, was admissible as evidence.
This despite his lawyer insisting the confession was made under duress and that the accused was high on drugs.
However, presiding Judge Cassim Moosa found that the confession statement was made freely and voluntarily without any undue influence.
VIDEO |Mdlalose contests validity of his confession during Usindiso Building fire trial:
