Staff Reporter.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has denied any involvement in the execution of the warrant of arrest for Advocate Malesela Teffo.
Teffo, who is currently representing four suspects accused of murdering Bafana Bafana soccer star Senzo Meyiwa, had just wrapped proceedings for the day when several heavily armed police officers clad in masks and black berets surrounded the cop-turned-lawyer and handcuffed him.
The management of the South African Police Service (Saps) said Advocate Teffo was aware that a warrant of arrest had been issued against him for missing several of his court appearances after being charged with common assault and trespassing.
Teffo appeared in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court and was granted bail of R10 000 and ordered to return on 27 May.
He has also indicated that he will be suing the SAPS after his arrest in court last week for a common assault and trespassing charge.
NPA Regional Spokesperson-Gauteng Local Division Phindi Mjonondwane following numerous views and opinions expressed by members of the legal fraternity, the public and various stakeholders within the Criminal Justice System it wants to set the record straight.
Mjonondwane said an internal investigation into allegations that the Director of Public Prosecutions advised the investigating officer about the execution of the warrant was conducted.
“It became apparent that the DPP was not aware of the execution of the warrant, nor did his office approve that the warrant be executed in or at court. The Hillbrow Magistrates’ Court issued a warrant of arrest on 27 January 2022 after Advocate Teffo failed to appear in court on that day.”
“The execution of warrants remains the competency of the South African Police Service (SAPS),” Mjonondwane said.
Mjonondwane said the NPA remains committed to one of its values of accountability and will continue to promote respect for the rule of law, inclusive of upholding the rights of all accused persons.