Umamah Bakharia 

The controversial lawyer of four of the five accused standing trial for the murder of soccer player Senzo Meyiwa, shocked the country when he suddenly announced that he will no longer represent them.

Advocate Malesela Teffo made headlines when he was arrested in open court earlier this year. He claims harassment by the state and judge, stating the plan to harass him was put together with the knowledge of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Speaking to Radio Islam, advocate Gerrie Nel says Teffo’s withdrawal is a setback for the Meyiwa family that has been awaiting justice. “I act on behalf of the family of the deceased, we just think that it’s now high time that we just get this matter rolling,” says Nel. He adds: “we are months into the trial and we almost have to start fresh.”

On the reason as to why Teffo opted to recuse himself from the case, Nel says he cannot comment on a matter that he is involved in.

A new council will now have to be appointed for the accused.

According to Nel, months after the trial began, they have been having interviews of the conduct in and out of the court. We should have been having interviews about the case, on the merits of the matter and we not, [instead] we [are] having interviews [on] allegations by the council,” he says.

The state and the prosecution say that a second police document in the murder trial is a strong case against the accused. However, it is unknown what decision has been taken on the document.