A 29-year-old man has been detained on suspicion of committing 76 murders after confessing to starting a deadly fire in a Johannesburg building last August. The fire destroyed the Usindiso building in Marshalltown, resulting in 77 deaths and numerous injuries. The building was home to many impoverished individuals, highlighting the problem of abandoned or neglected buildings in South Africa. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, is expected to face charges of arson and 120 counts of attempted murder. The City of Johannesburg, which owns the Usindiso building, is currently investigating 188 “bad” buildings, with 134 located in the inner city. A public inquiry into the disaster is ongoing, focusing on the fire and the broader issue of unsafe buildings. The incident has been described as a “wake up call” by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who emphasized the need to address housing and service issues in Johannesburg’s inner city.
Not for human consumption
