NPA had ‘no role’ in Teffo arrest in court

THE mystery shrouding the arrest of advocate Malesela Teffo in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, last week is deepening.

The Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions yesterday said it had nothing to do with his dramatic arrest.

The prosecuting authority said it was not consulted and did not sanction the execution of the warrant of arrest, which led to Teffo being arrested and cuffed in full view and the media inside the court.

“Following numerous views and opinions expressed by members of the legal fraternity, the public and various stakeholders within the criminal justice system, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) sets the record straight regarding the arrest of Advocate Teffo inside the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, on April 28,” a NPA statement read.

Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said an internal investigation into allegations that the Director of Public Prosecutions advised the investigating officer about the execution of the warrant was conducted.

“It became apparent that the Director of Public Prosecutions was not aware of the execution of the warrant, nor did his office approve that the warrant be executed in or at court,” she said.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo also added his voice this week to the drama surrounding the arrest of Teffo.

He made it clear that the arrest of anybody, let alone a legal practitioner, inside a courtroom, was completely unacceptable and should not have happened.