STATE prosecutor in the Usindiso building arsonist’s case revealed before the Joburg Magistrates Court that they had made significant progress in the matter.
The 29-year-old Sithembiso Mdlalose made a brief appearance on Wednesday, 6 March, facing charges of murder and attempted murder.
Unlike his previous appearances, Sithembiso was cleaned up, and he was able to face the gallery.
The matter was delayed and later postponed as his lawyer, Dumisani Mabunda, was absent in court.
But prosecutor Tshepo Mahange ka Mzizi told the court that the information they had could "spin the case in their direction". The absence of the defence prevented the state from presenting the new information it had.
The court heard that the lawyer had to attend to personal problems and would communicate the next court date to his colleagues and the state.
“There's some information that we have that could spin the case in the right direction. But we hope to present it when the lawyer is present,” he said.
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The matter was postponed to Friday, 22 March, for legal representation and the state to update the court.
Mabunda, who was not in court told Daily Sun that his client was ill advised when it comes to issues of the confession.
“Remember, at the time he made the so-called confession, he had no legal representative. He has now made a new statement that contradicts the current confession, so therefore, he doesn’t stand by whatever was said in the confession,” he said.
He said he plans to challenge the admissibility of the confession.
Previously, in February, when Sithembiso appeared before the court, his matter was postponed for profiling and verification of the accused.
He's facing 76 charges of murder, 86 of attempted murder and arson.
He was arrested after he confessed to being the one who set the building on fire in August 2023, which claimed the lives of 77 people, left many people displaced and several others injured.
