Presidency Refutes Reports of Involvement in Senzo Meyiwa Trial

The Presidency has strongly denied allegations made by former Senzo Meyiwa trial counsel, Advocate Malesela Teffo, that President Cyril Ramaphosa was involved in alleged harassment of the advocate for his role in the trial.

“The Presidency has noted and strongly refutes the false claims made by Advocate Malesela Teffo that the Presidency is behind his alleged intimidation and subsequent decision to withdraw from the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.

“The Presidency finds these unsubstantiated and baseless claims mischievous and harmful to the standing of the office of the President,” a Presidency statement issued on Wednesday read.

The Presidency asserted that it “does not participate in criminal investigations or trials” and is not “involved in any perceived or actual harassment of” Teffo.

“As an Officer of the Court and a professional in the legal fraternity, Advocate Teffo must appreciate the level of veracity that is necessary to support such claims about any institution or individual.

“The Presidency espouses the values of our Constitution and cherishes the protection, safety and justice for all,” the Presidency said.

As legal advisor to the ATM (African Transformation Movement) party, Adv Teffo has been roped into the case of the alleged cover-up of the Phala Phala burglary on President Ramaphosa’s farm.

News24 reported this week that “the ATM wants the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to investigate top cops for their involvement in the alleged Phala Phala cover-up.” ATM’s leader, spokesperson and Teffo – who has represented some of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa case – submitted a sworn statement to IPID on Monday.

The following day (Tuesday), Teffo told the court that he was withdrawing from the Senzo Meyiwa case “based on the harassment that I am receiving from the State and from the court” and allegedly, from the “highest office in the land”.

He said: “On the 28th of April when I was arrested… that was the plan and the plan was hatched in the office of [President Ramaphosa]…that I am a problematic advocate; I am interfering with the plan that has been hatched; that my client should take the responsibility of the murder of Senzo Meyiwa despite the fact that they were innocent.”

Adv Teffo tweeted: “The threats to my life are just too much…” and also: “Cry our beloved country… our justice system is like a circus.”

Four of the top trending hashtags on Twitter in South Africa today are all related in some way to this matter: #CyrilMustResign, #SenzoMeyiwatrial, Adv Teffo and #KellyKhumalo (the SA celebrity who was Senzo’s partner at the time of his death, and who can currently be seen on season 3 of Life with Kelly Khumalo on Showmax).