Cape Town – Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo reportedly delayed court proceedings in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial on Tuesday after he allegedly demanded to meet with presiding Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela in chambers.
Teffo, who used to represent four of the five accused standing trial, withdrew from the case as counsel before he was struck off the roll in September last year.
According to Times LIVE, Teffo walked into the court wearing his legal robes and demanded to see Judge Maumela in his chambers.
“We need to go into the chambers of the judge before this matter can commence,” the report quoted Teffo as saying.
Judge Maumela’s clerk says the judge has requested the legal representatives to find out from their clients if they’re okay with Maselela Teffo seeing him in the chambers before the start of proceedings.
Teffo says he’s flabbergasted by that instruction.#SABCNews #SenzoMeyiwa pic.twitter.com/1cFIMWcDgp
— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) May 2, 2023
The report said after speaking to some of the defence lawyers, Teffo said he had matters of importance to discuss with Maumela, adding that these could not be discussed in court, as the proceedings were being televised.
However, Judge Maumela’s clerk informed Teffo the judge had asked the legal representatives of the accused if their clients were comfortable with Teffo meeting him in chambers before the proceedings begin, The Citizen reported.
Teffo responded saying he was “flabbergasted” and took “strong offence” to the judge’s request, the report said.
“I’m taking a very strong offence if the judge will say the accused should give the permission. I’ve never seen such a thing in my career,” the report quoted Teffo as saying.
It, however, remained unclear whether the meeting between Teffo and the judge took place
ALSO READ | Senzo Meyiwa trial judge one of two facing suspension
EWN reported that the trial was set to resume in the Pretoria High Court after almost six months since evidence was last heard in the trial.
The report said three witnesses testified in the trial: the forensic police officer who first processed the scene, the first police officer to arrive after the crime, and Meyiwa’s childhood friend Tumelo Madlala, who was one of those present on the day of his murder.
Judge Maumela will continue to hear the matter, even though his fate hangs in the balance, the report said.
Maumela is one of two judges who face suspension, following a recommendation to President Cyril Ramaphosa by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
It is alleged that the JSC received complaints about the judges’ failure to deliver numerous reserved judgments.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
