JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – A murder suspect has been arrested by South African police in connection with a devastating fire that claimed at least 77 lives in Johannesburg last year. The 29-year-old man, whose identity has not been disclosed, made a shocking confession during a public inquiry into the causes of the nighttime fire in August, one of the country’s worst disasters.
According to South African media reports, the suspect admitted to killing a man in the basement of the building by beating and strangling him, before setting his body on fire with gasoline and a match. The man claimed that he had been instructed to carry out the murder by a Tanzanian drug dealer who resided in the building.
The public inquiry, aimed at investigating the causes of the fire and any safety failures that may have led to the high death toll, was not a criminal proceeding. As a resident of the building, the suspect was called to testify, with the panel ordering that he remain unidentified after his confession. Additionally, a lawyer leading the questioning of witnesses stated that the confession could not be used against him in a criminal hearing.
Following his testimony, the suspect was swiftly arrested by the police, who confirmed that he is expected to face charges of arson, 76 counts of murder, and 120 counts of attempted murder in the court “soon.” The tragic incident has shed light on the widespread problem of illegal occupation of disused buildings in the city center, with many reportedly under the control of criminal syndicates who collect rent from occupants. The investigation continues as authorities work to untangle the complex web of factors that contributed to the deadly fire.