Arsonist killed 76 people to cover up another murder

The 29-year-old was arrested after admitting responsibility for starting a building fire in downtown Johannesburg in August 2023 that killed 76 people. This was one of the worst disasters in South Africa.

Doctors stand next to the covered bodies of victims of a building fire in downtown Johannesburg. Photo: AP

The arsonist’s confession shocked the South African media. He confessed to being a drug user. On the night of the fire, he beat and strangled a man to death in the basement of the building on the orders of a Tanzanian drug dealer living in the building. He then doused the victim’s body with petrol and lit it with a match.

Police said the 29-year-old had been arrested and was facing 76 counts of murder, 120 counts of attempted murder and arson. He will appear in court in Johannesburg shortly, police said, without giving a date.

The fire drew world attention to Johannesburg's persistent problem of "looted buildings" - dilapidated structures that are seized and abandoned by authorities.

The building is owned by the City of Johannesburg, but it has been illegally occupied and rented to hundreds of poor people. Many of the building's residents are immigrants suspected of being in South Africa illegally.

The issue has sparked anger in South Africa that authorities appear powerless to prevent illegal takeovers of such buildings.

Medical staff and emergency workers at the scene of the fire that killed 76 people. Photo: AP

In his testimony, the arsonist said the building was run by drug dealers and a hideout for criminals. He also claimed that before the fire, the building's basement had been a "slaughterhouse" containing many corpses.

A few days after the fire, South African police opened a criminal investigation but no one was arrested until January 23, when the arsonist confessed.

Emergency officials said most of the building’s exits were locked or chained shut the night of the fire, adding to the loss of life. Witnesses and medical officials said some people jumped from windows – some as high as three stories – to escape the flames. Many suffered injuries, including broken limbs and backs. Some threw their children out in the hope that people below would catch them.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an inquiry into the disaster, which began in October by hearing testimony from emergency services workers who first responded to the fire in the early morning of August 31.

Hoai Phuong (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ke-phong-hoa-giet-76-nguoi-de-che-giau-mot-vu-giet-nguoi-khac-o-nam-phi-post282231.html