Acquitted advocate Malesela Teffo says he will return to Senzo Meyiwa trial as LPC says he remains struck from roll

Advocate Malesela Teffo says he plans to return to the high-profile Senzo Meyiwa murder trial after being acquitted on all six criminal charges, describing the verdict as a vindication after years of reputational damage.

Relief after acquittal, but clients shaken

Teffo told reporters he was “very happy and relieved” following the acquittal, but said the criminal prosecution had harmed his relationship with clients. “

My name has been dented, and the clients are no longer trusting me in terms of doing all the cases.

” He said several matters he had been handling had stalled because of the criminal proceedings and that the acquittal would give him “the leeway now to continue with my cases without being disturbed.”

Plans to rejoin Meyiwa trial and regain brief

Teffo said he intends to resume work on the Senzo Meyiwa trial. He said, “This week I’m going back to the case.” He also claimed he was in discussions with Legal Aid South Africa about taking over the defence again and said he was pursuing legal action involving the lawyers currently representing the accused. “

I’m going to remove those lawyers there. Then I’m taking over,

” he said.

Why he left the trial previously

The source says Teffo represented four of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa trial before withdrawing in 2022. He has maintained he left voluntarily after accusing the presiding judge of unfair treatment.

Accusations against NPA and SAPS, and legal steps

Teffo alleged the National Prosecuting Authority and the South African Police Service had used criminal charges to remove him from the Meyiwa case, saying: “

These were done by the NPA and the SAPS for my involvement in the Senzo Meyiwa case. This was an attempt to make sure that I’m removed from the Senzo Meyiwa case,

” and that he has legal proceedings before the Chief Justice relating to the matter. The source notes he did not provide evidence for these allegations.

LPC: acquittal does not equal automatic readmission

The Legal Practice Council moved to correct reports that Teffo had regained the right to practise law automatically. The LPC said, “

The LPC wishes to categorically state that these reports are incorrect. Mr Teffo remains struck from the roll of legal practitioners and has not been readmitted to the legal profession. He is therefore not entitled to practise as a legal practitioner in South Africa.

“

The LPC said any return to practice would require a formal readmission application under the Legal Practice Act and confirmed that no application relating to Teffo’s readmission had been considered or approved.

Public reaction and background

The acquittal, reflected in a charge sheet, prompted reactions on social media and from supporters. Tebogo Mashilompane, leader of the Forum for South Africa, said Teffo had been severely damaged by the prosecution: “

He lost clients, he lost business and his name was tainted,

” and suggested discussions about possible civil action.

According to the source, Teffo was arrested in 2023 and charged with six offences, including defeating or obstructing the administration of justice, common assault and crimen injuria. The charge sheet confirms he has been acquitted on all six counts.