In a jaw-dropping turn of events, a 29-year-old man, known as Mr X, has dramatically confessed to igniting a fire that claimed the lives of 76 people in a block of flats in South Africa. During an unexpected revelation at an inquiry into the fire’s cause in Johannesburg, Mr X detailed a chilling account of how he allegedly beat and strangled a man in the building’s basement before setting the body ablaze with petrol and a match.

Claiming he was under the influence of drugs, Mr X asserted that a Tanzanian drug dealer residing in the building had instructed him to carry out the gruesome act. Arrested at the scene, he now faces 76 counts of murder and 120 counts of attempted murder.

The inquiry, initially established to investigate the fire’s origin, took an unforeseen turn with Mr X’s shocking admission. The August blaze drew global attention to the long-standing issue of “hijacked buildings” in central Johannesburg, highlighting the decay and neglect of structures taken over by squatters. The building in question, owned by the city, had fallen into the hands of illegal landlords, housing numerous occupants, many suspected of residing in South Africa illegally.

Mr X’s testimony revealed the building’s grim reality as a hub for criminal activities, particularly drug dealing. He further alleged the existence of more bodies in the building’s basement, which he referred to as a ‘slaughterhouse,’ preceding the fire.

The tragedy also underscored the authorities’ apparent inability to prevent the illegal takeover of such structures, raising concerns about the safety and living conditions for vulnerable populations. Emergency service officials discovered that most fire escapes were locked or chained that night, exacerbating the deadliness of the incident.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa initiated the inquiry in October, with Mr X’s unexpected confession shedding new light on the devastating events that unfolded on August 31. As investigations continue, the South African public remains shocked by the grim details emerging from the man’s startling admission.