Cape Town – The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial is set to continue this morning at the Gauteng High Court. However, there is no certainty about advocate Malesela Teffo’s return to represent four of the accused.
Last week, advocate Teffo announced on Twitter that he would be resuming his duties on Tuesday, as counsel for the four accused in the murder trial, only if his demands were met.
He made a number of outrageous demands and allegations in a letter to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Among them, he demanded the removal of Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela, whom he accused of a witchcraft plot to collapse him in court.
“The sangoma was fortunately witnessed by all the parties when coming to consult with Judge Maumela in chambers. At the time we were with Judge Maumela,” Teffo stated in the letter.
He further accused police minister Bheki Cele of conspiring to have him arrested in court and demanded his immediate dismissal.
It is time to deal with the institutionalized corruption within the SAPS and the NPA. I am prepared to deal with it even if it’s risky…
— Adv Teffo (@MaleselaD_Teffo) July 28, 2022
On July 12, advocate Teffo withdrew his counsel from the trial, citing harassment from state and court. He claimed that the plan to harass him was hatched from the President’s Office.
“I am labelled a problematic lawyer because I am disturbing that plan, the plan is that my clients should take responsibility of the murder of Senzo Meyiwa, despite the fact that they were innocent,” Teffo was quoted as saying.
So far, there hasn’t been an update on the demands made by Teffo.
However, the Civil society organisation Judges Matter has called for Teffo to withdraw his comments about the presiding judge.
The organisation said his allegations were based on speculation and conjecture, and that he brought no evidence to support his allegations, reported TimesLIVE.
#SenzoMeyiwa Teffo has set out some demands before he returns to court.
He says he and Thobane will not be returning to court on the 2nd August. #AdvTeffo #MeyiwaMurderTrial #eNCA pic.twitter.com/qMJCy2kqeq
— Sli Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) July 28, 2022
Judges Matter co-ordinator, Alison Tilley said Teffo’s allegations brought the administration of justice into disrepute and constituted a serious breach of professional legal ethics.
“The statements made in advocate Teffo’s letter are a shocking attack on judge Maumela and should be immediately withdrawn. It is deeply distressing that they come from a legal practitioner, as advocates hold a special duty to protect the dignity, reputation and effectiveness of the courts,” the report quoted Tilley as saying.
Meyiwa was gunned down at Kelly Khumalo’s home in Vosloorus, Gauteng on the evening of October 26, 2014.
Six years later, in 2020, Muzikawukhulelwa S’Tembu Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa, and Fisokuhle Ntuli were arrested.
The men were charged with murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
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Picture: Twitter/ @Zvomuya
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
