A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of committing 77 murders following his admission during a public inquiry that he initiated the fatal fire in a Johannesburg building last August.
The tragic incident occurred in the Usindiso building in Marshalltown, claiming the lives of 77 individuals and injuring many.
The suspect, who cannot be named, is expected to face charges of arson and 120 counts of attempted murder.
He confessed to his involvement in starting the fire during the inquiry session.
The Usindiso building housed numerous impoverished residents, shedding light on the broader issue of neglected or abandoned buildings in South Africa.
Such structures often lack essential services and safety measures, becoming targets for criminal takeover.
The City of Johannesburg, which owned the Usindiso building, is currently investigating 188 “bad” buildings, with 134 located in the inner city.
Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda emphasized the need to address issues related to housing and services in Johannesburg’s inner city.
The ongoing public inquiry is examining the fire incident and the larger problem of unsafe buildings.
President Cyril Ramaphosa previously described the fire as a “wake-up call” for South Africa, urging the city of Johannesburg to address housing and service-related challenges.
With an estimated 15,000 people facing homelessness in Johannesburg, the country grapples with a chronic housing shortage. The inquiry is set to deliver its findings later this year.
Source-BBC
