The man who admitted to a commission of inquiry that he had started the fire that claimed 76 lives at the Usindiso building in Marshalltown, Johannesburg, last year has officially confessed before a magistrate.

Both National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane and Dumisani Mabunda, lawyer for the accused, confirmed that Sithembiso Lawrence Mdlalose had confessed freely and voluntarily on Wednesday. 

During his appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday, Mdlalose was officially charged with arson, 76 counts of murder, and 86 of attempted murder.