Conspiracy around Teffo arrest mere gossip

THE long-awaited commencement of the murder trial of the men who allegedly killed Senzo Meyiwa is increasingly indicating that justice may never be served in this case.

One of the sticking points of the case is the so-called “mastermind” behind the murder. Over the years, the accusation has been made by the accused and some members of Meyiwa’s family. But the “mastermind” is becoming an urban legend. Why don’t thosewho know the person just name the person?

Muddling the issue is the dramatic recent arrest of advocate Malesela Teffo who is representing four of the five accused. The police have been criticised for the high-handed and unnecessary arrest.

Teffo has failed to appear in court on two occasions in a separate criminal matter in which he is the accused. And it is trite that no matter who you are, if you are ordered to appear in court and you do not present yourself, you commit a crime and wherever you are found you must be treated as a fugitive and be immediately arrested.

What is more serious is that Teffo has made the serious but unsubstantiated allegation that Police Minister Bheki Cele wants to get him off the case. For a lawyer to make such a serious accusation with noevidence, is disturbing. Maybe he will provide the public with such evidence?

It appears that Teffo is casting aspersions on the police whom, reading between the lines, he is not on good terms with because he was previously one and, as an advocate, has won a labour case against them.

But drawing a link between his untoward behaviour of failing twice to appear where he is criminally charged and the Meyiwa trial is not on.

Until Teffo provides incontrovertible evidence of the accusation against Cele, we must treat the information as gossip.

DR THABISI HOEANE |