In a deeply emotional moment at the Palm Ridge magistrate’s court, 32-year-old Sithembiso Mdlalose broke down in tears as he confessed to lying about starting the catastrophic Usindiso fire that claimed 76 lives and injured 12 others. The fire, which devastated a densely populated informal settlement, remains one of the deadliest in recent South African history.

Mdlalose revealed that his false confession was driven by desperation after enduring three years of homelessness, he sought prison as a refuge where he would be guaranteed food, shelter, and safety. He told the court he could no longer face the brutal hardships of life on the streets, including hunger, exposure to harsh weather, and vulnerability to crime.

Authorities have expressed concern about the conditions that led to such a tragedy. The informal settlement where the fire broke out was densely packed, with many homes made from flammable materials like wood and plastic sheets. Emergency services struggled to contain the blaze amid narrow pathways and limited access.

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