Judgment in the case against Sthembiso Mdlalose, who is accused of starting the blaze that killed 76 people in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, in 2023, has suffered another setback after the Johannesburg High Court postponed the matter on Wednesday.
The State requested a postponement following a brief court appearance. Both the prosecution and the defence agreed that the matter should be delayed while awaiting a forensic report.
Judge Cassim Moosa granted the postponement, saying the court requires additional time before Mdlalose can learn his fate.
“Mr Mdlalose, the matter is unable to proceed today, as you have heard counsel for the State indicate that they require an additional period of time in order to comply with the directive that this court issued on the last occasion, on 19 May,” said Moosa.
During the previous court appearance, the court heard that discrepancies in the postmortem results and the photo album evidence contributed to the delay. The judge said there were challenges relating to the numbering of the postmortem reports compiled by police.
Mdlalose has maintained his innocence. Speaking to the media outside court, he said: “I don’t expect the verdict to find me guilty.”
The matter has been postponed to 21 July at the High Court sitting at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
