Man to be charged with murder for deadly Johannesburg fire

AFP

A man suspected of starting the fire that killed more than 70 people in a hijacked building in downtown Johannesburg in August has been arrested in South Africa.

The 29-year-old man confessed to an inquiry tasked with determining responsibility for the blaze that he was involved in starting it, the police said in a statement sent to Reuters on Wednesday.

He is expected to appear before a Johannesburg court soon on charges of arson, 77 counts of murder and 120 counts of attempted murder, the statement said.

One of the worst disasters in living memory in South Africa's economic hub, the blaze broke out on August 31 in a dilapidated building crammed with mostly foreign migrants. Many of the victims were burned beyond recognition.

The deaths shed light on the unsafe conditions in which many poor people live in Johannesburg's city centre, where dozens of buildings have been abandoned and taken over by criminal groups who charge fees for staying there.

More from International

Coming Up on Dubai Eye

  • Motor Mania

    10:00am - Noon

  • The Best of Dubai Eye 103.8

    Noon - 4:00pm

    Hear the highlights from the week gone by on Dubai Eye 103.8. Listen again to the best interviews, advice and the top stories that has gripped our conversation this week.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST

On Dubai Eye

  • Is There Sufficient House Supply In UAE

    Dubai’s current population is more than double compared to almost twenty years ago, which now stands at 3.7 million. Lots of families are also moving to the UAE now. So what does it mean for the property market?

  • Noon's First Female Delivery Driver

    Glory Ehirim Nkiruka is Noon’s first ever female delivery driver. In her first ever interview, she explained why she loves her job, despite the heat!