WATCH: Disbarred advocate Teffo’s request to meet with judge causes delay in Meyiwa murder trial

The first day of the trial against the five men charged with the murder of former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa, resumed with high drama in court.

Teffo delays court proceedings

Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo, who used to represent four of the five accused standing trial, caused a stir in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday morning, when he demanded to meet with presiding Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela in chambers.

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Dressed in his legal robes, Teffo claimed that he had confidential information to disclose to the judge that he could not state in public, which led to a delay in the trial’s resumption.

RELATED: Malesela Teffo disbarred from practising as an advocate

Judge Maumela’s clerk then 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.

Teffo was not impressed by this saying he was “flabbergasted” and took “strong offense” to the judge’s request.

“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,” he protested.

Judge Maumela ended up asking all legal counsel to meet him in his chambers, according to reporting by SABC News senior journalist Chriselda Lewis.

It remains unclear whether the meeting between Teffo and the judge took place, and if so, what was discussed during their interaction. However, the trial resumed without Teffo being present in court.

The state’s fourth witness Mthokozisi Thwala, who was present on the night Meyiwa was killed in October 2014, took the stand.

The footballer was gunned down in what has been described as a botched robbery at the family home of his then-lover and musician Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus, east of Johannesburg.

Disbarment

Teffo was barred from the roll of advocates last year, following an application by the Legal Practice Council (LPC).

The high court in Pretoria had found Teffo accepted money from clients without a brief from an attorney, an act which is not allowed. The court also found he had misled it in different cases where he appeared as counsel.

The LPC had filed a motion in 2021, after it received just over 20 complaints, dating back from 2015, against Teffo, who was admitted as an advocate in 2009.

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