Pretoria - The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial is set to resume in September with no further delays as the instructing attorney TT Thobane informed the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria that he still remained on record for four out of the five accused.
Thobane appeared in court today following the ceremonious withdrawal by advocate Malesela Teffo as legal counsel from the trial three weeks prior in court.
Teffo who was appearing on behalf of Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube and Mthokoziseni Maphisa, informed the court he was quitting as the legal counsel of the men citing what he said was “harassment” from the court and the state.
Thobane started by informing the court this morning that he believed a postponement to seek new legal representation for the four men had been an error as he was still representing them.
The legal counsel distanced himself from utterances made by Teffo following his withdrawal from the trial, wherein Teffo claimed that he was bewitched by the court with the help of a sangoma.
In a letter sent to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the court, Teffo made shocking statements, including that the presiding Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela “has brought his sangoma to court”.
In another letter written to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, Teffo said the main reason which made him withdraw from the case, was that the judge was using muti against him.
"He (Teffo) only wrote that letter after he withdrew from this matter so he doesn't get instructions from me or the law firm, it's his own matter," Thobane explained.
"I work according to the instructions if the client says continue I'll continue and if they say not to continue I will do so."
Judge Maumela was quick to correct Thobane about accusing the court of making an error in postponing the matter, as he said the court had been left with no other option following the abrupt withdrawal by Teffo in his absence.
Maumela added that he had postponed the matter as it remained his duty as the presiding officer to ensure legal counsel for the accused, whilst it was Thobane's responsibility to inform whoever needed to know following Teffo's withdrawal that he remained on record for the accused.
Thobane then informed the court that the second accused in the matter, Bongani Ntanzi, sought to bring a bail application before the resumption of the main trial next month.
Maumela conceded that an application for bail would be entertained as long as the legal counsel approached the leadership of the division for purposes of placement.
The matter was accordingly postponed to September 5 with all of the men in custody.
Thobane also "extended an olive branch" to the court as he apologised to the court if he created the impression that he did not respect the court by not being present in court.
Thobane speaking following the adjournment indicated he was still representing the men pro-bono as he awaited instructions from family members.
"As a legal practitioner, you must be patient whether you are being paid or not you still have to represent your clients to the best of your ability and we still have to protect their constitutional rights."
He said he did not fear for his life and safety despite him still receiving death threats in the form of receiving SMSes and having his phones stolen.
Pretoria News