Confessed Usindiso building arsonist is 'not capable of murder', says shocked relative

"We are not a violent family," said a relative of Sithembiso Lawrence Mdlalose, who confessed to setting the Usindiso building alight in an arson attack that left 76 people dead last year.

Speaking to News24, the relative, who asked not to be identified, claimed most family members only learnt about the startling confession when the police came to verify Mdlalose's Soweto address on Wednesday.

Mdlalose was arrested on 23 January, immediately after telling the commission of inquiry, led by retired Justice Sisi Khampepe, that he started the fire on 31 August 2023 - and that he did it in an attempt to conceal a murder.