NPA had no role in arrest of Meyiwa trial lawyer

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

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

The prosecuting authority said it had not been consulted and did not sanction the execution of the warrant of arrest, which led to Teffo being arrested and cuffed inside the court.

An NPA statement reads: “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.”

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 had been 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.

The Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant of arrest on January 27 this year after Teffo failed to appear on that day. The execution of warrants remains the competency of the SAPS, Mjonondwane said.

She said that the NPA remained committed to its values of accountability and would continue to promote respect for the rule of law, inclusive of upholding the rights of all accused persons.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo also added his voice to the drama surrounding the Teffo’s arrest.

According to him, the arrest was completely unacceptable and should not have happened.

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.

Teffo was defending four accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial and was arrested seconds after the court had adjourned.

Various bodies, including the General Bar Association of South Africa, called for an independent investigation into the matter.