Court hears firsthand account of charred body found in Usindiso fire
The State’s first witness in the Usindiso building fire trial has detailed harrowing scenes about the day 76 people died in 2023.
Joburg EMS station commander Chicco Nyathi testified in the Johannesburg High Court on Wednesday.
The court has allowed the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to reopen the case against Sthembiso Mdlalose, who faces 76 counts of murder and 12 for attempted murder.
Nyathi, who led firefighters to the scene, told the court on Wednesday about how desperate residents jumped from the building while others were thrown out in an attempt to escape the raging flames.
Nyathi also detailed how the victims’ bodies were numbered.
He said about 12 of the bodies were charred, but emphasised that numbering and identifying the remains fell under the police’s responsibility.
The defence questioned him on one specific detail: how one of the bodies was numbered twice.
A new witness is expected to take the stand when proceedings resume on Monday.