Police Minister, Bheki Cele. Photo: File
Photo: GCIS / Flickr
Senzo Meyiwa: Cele DENIES being behind defence lawyer’s arrest
Advocate Malesela Teffo, representing four accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, was arrested in the Pretoria High Court
Police Minister, Bheki Cele. Photo: File
Photo: GCIS / Flickr
Police Minister Bheki Cele has vehemently rejected a claim made by advocate Malesela Teffo, that he was behind his arrest at the High Court in Pretoria.
Teffo, who represents four of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, was handcuffed on Thursday, 28 April 2022.
When Teffo was being arrested, he said: “They are arresting me because they do not want me on this case. Bheki Cele does not want me in this case. That is the reason.”
While it has been reported that Teffo may have been arrested for failing to appear before a court in Hillbrow on a separate matter, he was heard saying that the police officers had not read him his rights nor informed him of his charges.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: WATCH: Advocate ARRESTED in the middle of Senzo Meyiwa trial [Video]
CELE ON SENZO MEYIWA DEFENCE LAWYER’S ARREST: ‘I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT’
Speaking on eNCA just hours after the incident, Police Minister Bheki Cele says he knew nothing about the allegation made by Advocate Malesela Teffo and was informed by his spokesperson Lirandzu Temba who called him.
“Absolutely, I know nothing about it and I have requested the National Commissioner to find out what happened and give me a report. I think that is the only time that I will speak about the matter”
Police Minister Bheki Cele
Meanwhile national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola said he has requested the Gauteng police commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela to submit a report on the matter.
Cele was also asked whether he knew that Teffo would be arrested.
“Ministers are not aware who is going to be arrested and not arrested. For instance, 800 people were arrested this morning… it is not the minister’s business to know who is going to be arrested because the minister has no say whether to or not,” he further told the broadcaster.
Meyiwa, who also played for Orlando Pirates, was shot dead in Vosloorus, at the home of his girlfriend, singer and actress Kelly Khumalo on 26 October 2014. Five men face several charges, including murder, attempted murder and robbery.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: Senzo Meyiwa: Mystery female DNA found on suspect’s hat stuns court
