After making a dramatic exit over two weeks ago in the Senzo Meyiwa trial, advocate Malesela Teffo took everyone by surprise when he made a u-turn on Thursday, announcing that he will remain as counsel for the four accused suspects, but with a list of demands.
This after he claimed that he was withdrawing from the case because his life was in danger. Teffo is the defence lawyer of the four accused suspects. He withdrew from the case after several heated exchanges between himself and the presiding judge and also accused the court of being biased against him.
On Thursday it emerged that Teffo wrote to the high court to notify it that he will continue representing the four accused. His return to court comes with demands, one of which is for Police Minister Bheki Cele to be fired and that Kelly Khumalo be prosecuted in the trial.
He said Cele needs to be investigated for abusing his position as the Minister of Police. He also asked that his clients be trialed separately from accused number five, Fisokule Ntuli, who is represented by advocate Zandile Mshololo.
Another demand from Teffo is for the Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Andrew Chauke have the charges against him withdrawn.
Teffo did not make reference to President Cyril Ramaphosa in his list of demands, despite the fact that he implicated him, saying he was an enabler of his intimidation, however Ramaphosa refuted the allegations.
Source: Eyewitness News, IOL, Times Live, The Citizen, SABC News, Sunday World, image from Times Live: Thulani Mbele