Senzo Meyiwa Trial: Adv Teffo Says He Cannot Represent Accused Due to Harassment Planned in Ramaphosa’s Office

• Advocate Malesela Teffo has withdrawn from the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial due to alleged harassment
• The lawyer believes that his arrest in the courtroom earlier this year was planned in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office
• Teffo said that he deserves respect but he's being harassed by the police, the NPA and the judge overseeing the case

PRETORIA - The lawyer defending four of the five men accused of soccer star Senzo Meyiwa’s murder has withdrawn from the trial. Advocate Malesela Teffo cited harassment and a “plan” to have him removed from the case as reasons for his exit.

He told the High Court in Pretoria that his televised arrest in the courtroom was planned in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office. According to TimesLIVE, Teffo was arrested on charges of common assault a short while after court adjourned on Thursday, 28 April.

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The lawyer told the court that he's apparently known as a “problematic” advocate and maintains that his clients are innocent. However, Teffo says that he deserves respect but was subjected to harassment from the police, the National Prosecuting Authority and presiding Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela.

He added that he is now a "criminal" because of the state and therefore can't represent people charged with serious crimes simultaneously, EWN reported.

Teffo said he had consulted his clients before deciding to withdraw. However, some are confused about his departure. The trial will resume on Tuesday, 2 August to allow time for the accused to find alternative legal representation.

South Africans are outraged by Advocate Malesela Teffo’s withdrawal from the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial:

@Bennetfor said:

“I was supporting Teffo until this lie. Senzos’s case is not even political. Yes, they might be people who entered the space, but it can’t be up to the level of the presidency.”

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@LegodiBenedict wrote:

“This guy is playing a political game, he must be careful he is now part of RET officially.”

@NgoveniSbu commented:

“Are we just going to ignore the fact that he said the office of the president is interfering in legal matters?”

@ted_pops added:

“This guy’s antics have been funny up to now. The sad part is that his clients are going to be found guilty and go to jail for a murder (which they probably never committed) because of Teffo and his antics and that won’t be funny.”

Senzo Meyiwa murder trial: Adv Teffo wants to know why Kelly Khumalo is not in the dock with other suspects

In a related matter, Briefly News previously reported that the lawyer representing four of the five accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial wants answers about why Kelly Khumalo is not in the dock with the other suspects.

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The singer was the soccer star’s girlfriend at the time of his death in 2014 and was named as a suspect in the controversial second docket.

Source: Briefly News