Arrest of defence lawyer in Senzo Meyiwa trial
ADVOCATE Malesela Teffo, who represents some of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, was arrested inside court immediately after the judge adjourned the matter yesterday.
His arrest has caused the trial to be postponed until the end of May.
Teffo’s arrest took place in court in front of journalists who were in court to report on the murder trial.
Teffo, who is a former police officer, was handcuffed by the police.
When asked why he was arrested, Teffo alleged that Police Minister Bheki Cele was behind his arrest, and also alleged he was being arrested for being involved in the Meyiwa murder trial.
Teffo was also heard protesting that the police officers had not read him his rights nor informed him of his charges.
He said they were taking him to the Hillbrow police station.
Minutes before his arrest, Teffo asked to address the court through his attorney TT Thobane, saying there was something very dangerous to the witnesses of the defence, and that defence attorneys were in danger.
Thobane told the court the defence team had received a tip-off that Teffo was going to be arrested imminently as part of “intimidation tactics”.
“He (Teffo) is not in a good mind after the information we received, and there’s no way we can continue with those circumstances,” said Thobane.
The State prosecutor said he had no objection to postponing the trial, saying the matter should be back on May 30, and run to June 15.
This is not Teffo’s first brush with the law, and his arrest could be related to his arrest last year. In November last year, the City Press reported that Teffo was arrested twice within the space of two weeks. The publication said he was initially arrested on a charge of contempt of court and released after paying bail. City Press said the charge related to his alleged failure to appear before court in a labour-related matter.
He was again arrested in connection with a charge of a threat of assault and trespassing.
On Meyiwa’s trial, Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela warned the witness in the dock before the postponement, Sergeant Thabo Mosia, not to discuss details of the case with anyone while the court was in recess.
Mosia will continue with his testimony when the matter resumes on May 30.
Sifisokuhle Ntuli, Muzikawukhulelwa Sthemba Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Ncube and Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa, who are charged with the murder of the Bafana Bafana captain in Vosloorus in 2014, will remain behind bars until the next appearance.