Defence lawyer who represents four of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa trial. Photo: Facebook
Adv Teffo: Accused were assaulted to confess and incriminate themselves
Adv Malesela Teffo told the court that accused 1 to 4 were assaulted to confess and incriminate themselves to murdering Senzo Meyiwa.
Defence lawyer who represents four of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa trial. Photo: Facebook
Defence lawyer in the Senzo Meyiwa trial, Advocate Malesela Teffo has told the Pretoria High Court that his clients were assaulted by police to confess and incriminate themselves for the murder of the late Bafana Bafana goalkeeper.
Court proceedings were adjourned on Monday morning when Teffo, who represents accused 1 to 4 in the case, continued with his plea for a trial within a trial.
TEFFO CALLS FOR A TRIAL WITHIN A TRIAL
On Friday, Teffo also raised the issue of severe assault that his clients suffered. He told the court that accused 1 to 4 were made to confess to a crime they did not commit and suffered abuse at the hands of the police.
Teffo told the court that his clients were suffocated with a tube to confess to the crime. He said this is no different to apartheid police tactics.
State prosecutor Advocate Baloyi told the court that they received papers from Teffo regarding his special plea on Monday before the proceedings resumed.
Teffo said his clients were told to agree and incriminate themselves by saying they acted in a wrong way on the night of 26 October 2014.
“They had no choice but to write those affidavits. Accused 1 was taken to an address he never knew before (Kelly Khumalo’s home) to say he will point where the other accused were when Meyiwa was shot.
“My clients were assaulted to confess and incriminate themselves to murder they didn’t know and were suffocated with a tube. Some were in Mahlabathini and Nongoma in KZN on that fateful night,” Adv Teffo told the court.
Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela said Teffo had the opportunity to cross examine Mosia and was not interrupted at all.
“If Adv George Baloyi (state prosecutor) were to desire to persuade the court to rely on the confessions, it is then and only then when those affected by those confessions move legally and procedurally as they deem fit.
“I rule that Adv Mshololo continues with the cross examination of Sergeant Thabo Mosia. I also apologise for the interruptions she has experienced so far.”
Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela
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