Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo will spend the weekend behind bars until his next court appearance on Monday.
Teffo appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for the first time on Thursday, following his arrest on allegations of malicious damage to property, assault, and theft.
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Teffo, 53, rose to prominence after representing four of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.
He later withdrew from the case abruptly, citing intimidation and threats.
Teffo was taken off the roll of counsel by the High Court in Pretoria in September last year for unethical and dishonest practices.
According to NPA spokeswoman Lumka Mahanjana, Teffo was allegedly renting office space at Protea Towers, a City Property property.
In April, he was barred from entering the building.
“It is alleged that on 29 July 2023, Teffo went to the said building without permission, with a person from a locksmith. When he arrived, the security officer who was on duty at the reception tried to stop him from entering,” says Mahanjana.
“However, he proceeded and went to his office, where he, together with the person from the locksmith, broke into the office. When another security officer who was on the scene was recording what was happening, it is alleged that Teffo assaulted him.
“The security officer ran to the police station to report the matter.
“When he returned to the scene, Teffo was already gone and took the door handle with him.”
According to Mahajana, Teffo is also facing a charge of fraud in a different case.
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“It is alleged that on 9 June 2022, the two complainants in the matter approached Teffo for legal assistance.
“It is alleged that Teffo agreed to assist the complainants and asked that they make a payment of R6 500 each, to his personal account, after which he would then arrange for consultation with them.
“The complainants made the requested payments. However, when they enquired about the consultation, it is alleged that Teffo ignored them,” she adds.
Mahanjana says the court also heard that Teffo refused to cooperate with the police after his arrest.
“He refused to allow them to take his fingerprints for profiling and to give them his personal address.
“The magistrate made an order that Teffo must cooperate with the state by providing the requested information,” says Mahanjana.
The case has been postponed to 7 August for confirmation of his address, profiling, and possible bail application.
