Legal consultants have reacted to Advocate Malesela Teffo’s withdrawal on Tuesday afternoon as consultant for accused one to 4 within the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, with some saying the controversial advocate’s behaviour has distracted from the deserves of the particular case.
Teffo dropped the bombshell on Tuesday afternoon, moments after studying out a letter for accused quantity three, who claimed that he was being ill-treated on the Kgosi Mampuru correctional centre.
Teffo cited harassment from the police, the NPA, as nicely as the state and the decide within the matter Tshifhiwa Maumela, as causes for his withdrawal.
Antics distracted from deserves of the trial
Speaking to The Citizen on Wednesday afternoon, one of many outstanding function gamers within the matter, Advocate Gerrie Nel didn’t wish to touch upon his colleague’s behaviour, aside from describing the scenario as “unfortunate”.
Nel stated the trial was alleged to have been dominated by discussions across the crime and nothing else.
“We have not dealt with the merits of this case except for conspiracy theories and countless applications that were brought before the court,” Nel stated.
“This matter has been on the court roll for months and we have not finalized a single witness, and the delays that we have had, have also been an injustice to our clients who have been waiting for years to find the truth.”
Gerrie Nel
Regarding the best way ahead following Teffo’s withdrawal on Tuesday, Nel stated he can solely hope that the trial shall be able to resume in September. He stated that is particularly uncertain, contemplating that the authorized help board had offered attorneys for the accused, which they’d refused in favour of offering their very own counsel.
“The last I heard was that the clients have been given until beginning of August to find new counsel,” Nel added.
Arguments ‘unheard of in law’
Reacting to Teffo’s announcement, felony regulation skilled Dr Llewellyn Curlewis stated Teffo has, actually, been ‘incompetent’ throughout the court docket case.
“When one seems to be on the form of functions he saved mentioning, I imply a few of them are extraordinary in regulation.
“He (Teffo) should have known better,” Curlewis stated.
ALSO READ: Advocate Teffo withdraws from representing Meyiwa murder accused (citizen.co.za)
He stated Teffo’s withdrawal doesn’t imply the matter will now have begin afresh.
“The matter can still be saved and I don’t think there will be a need for a retrial, unless a special application is brought,” Curlewis added.
Meanwhile it’s believed Teffo stated in court docket paperwork that he was a member of the Pretoria bar.
Attempts to get affirmation from the Pretoria bar have been unsuccessful.
Earlier within the day when contacted, the Johannesburg bar stated it didn’t have Teffo as a registered member.
Presidency additionally hits again at Teffo
Meanwhile, the presidency has issued a press release dismissing claims by Teffo that the workplace of the president itself is behind his alleged intimidation.
“The Presidency finds these unsubstantiated and baseless claims mischievous and harmful to the standing of the office of the President,” the assertion reads.
The Presidency doesn’t take part in felony investigations or trials and isn’t concerned in any perceived or precise harassment of Adv. Teffo.
As an Officer of the Court and an expert within the authorized fraternity, Adv. Teffo should respect the extent of veracity that’s essential to assist such claims about any establishment or particular person. The Presidency espouses the values of our Constitution and cherishes the safety, security and justice for all.
