JOHANNESBURG - A judgment against Sthembiso Mdlalose has been delayed yet again.
This was heard when Mdlalose, accused of causing the deadly Usindiso building fire in 2023 that claimed 76 lives in one of South Africa’s deadliest urban fires, appeared before the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.
This time, the state has requested more time to resolve inconsistencies between the post-mortem reports and the photos compiled by the South African Police Service.
READ | Judgment day for accused in Usindiso building fire
Human rights activist Andy Chinnah has questioned the delays in the Usindiso building fire case.
He deemed the delays unnecessary while also delaying justice.
"It's holding up a whole process in terms of people wanting to get moving on with their lives. Initially, on the day of the fire, they were accused of starting the fire. And it's lived with them.
" Although many of the victims have moved on, we are now fighting for compensation for them, there's still a lot hanging on this judgment," he said.
Chinnah said the judgment remains crucial in finally determining who should be held accountable for the tragedy.
Mdlalose initially confessed to starting a fire at the Usindiso building in August 2023, where 76 people died.
Mdlalose later withdrew his confession, claiming he lied to secure food and shelter in prison.
Survivors testified about blocked exits and desperate leaps from windows to escape the suffocating, thick smoke.
Mdlalose has been facing 76 counts of murder, 12 of attempted murder and one count of arson.
The matter has been postponed to 21 July to allow the state to iron out inconsistencies and clarify the postmortem reports.