Disbarred advocate in heated exchange with judge in Meyiwa murder trial

THE objection by State witness Zandile Khumalo to the continued live broadcast of the murder trial of Senzo Meyiwa was based on a dream, according to the legal representative on behalf of the broadcast media.

As the murder trial looking into the murder of the Orlando Pirates goalkeeper resumed yesterday, the continued audio broadcast of the proceedings took centre stage in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria.

The legal representatives of the five men were tasked on Monday with writing and submitting their heads of argument by Tuesday in relation to the objection raised by Khumalo and her request for broadcasting to be cancelled during her testimony.

The legal counsel were asked to provide the court with brief highlights of their arguments, but not before disbarred Advocate Malesela Teffo attempted to take the spotlight once more. Teffo tried to inform the court that he had been instructed to join the proceedings on a watching brief by the brother of Meyiwa, Sifiso Meyiwa, and the Orlando Pirates management team.

Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela was at pains trying to stop Teffo from addressing the court as he told him how his continued insistence on being given an opportunity to address the court was hindering the administration of justice and the time of the accused.

“Please sit down; you are disturbing the court processes; otherwise, I will order that you be taken out,” he said to Teffo.

This, however, did not deter him (Teffo), as he tried to further explain why he was in court and how the testimony of Khumalo was of great interest to the Meyiwa family and to the sports team to which the slain soccer player belonged.

However, the judge was having none of that, as he explained to Teffo that he was taking the valuable time of the legal counsel appointed and paid for by the five accused currently on trial for the 2014 murder of Meyiwa.

“I’m asking you to stay put and watch that brief and allow the representatives who have been paid by the accused to represent them to play their role.

“Baloyi is supposed to address the court, and what you are doing now is coming in between the court proceedings. I am not saying I am allowing or disallowing you, but I have been told and noted it. Please sit down, or I will order that you be taken out,” the judge said, ending the debate.