South Africa: Judgment Set in Usindiso Arson Case - South African News Briefs - July 21, 2026

Judgment Set for Alleged Arsonist Facing 76 Murder Charges The Johannesburg High Court is set to deliver judgment in the case of alleged Usindiso building arsonist Sithembiso Mdlalose, reports SABC News. Mdlalose faces 76 counts of murder and 12 counts of attempted murder linked to the devastating August 2023 fire that killed 76 people. The State alleges Mdlalose set a fellow resident alight with petrol after a dispute over drug money, causing the blaze to spread throughout the building. Judgment was postponed last month to allow the prosecution to address issues relating to post-mortem findings. Police Probe Gqeberha Murder-Suicide The trial of 62 people accused of orchestrating the deadly July 2021 unrest has been postponed after legal representation issues delayed proceedings in the Dur