Malesela Teffo has been struck off the roll of practising legal practitioners after the high court in Pretoria on Friday found that he “lacks responsibility”.
Teffo, who was recently ousted from the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, has been ordered to surrender his practising certificate to the court registrar. Furthermore, a curator has been appointed to handle his bank accounts which he used while practising as an advocate.
Teffo first appeared before the high court in August to flex muscles against the Legal Practice Council (LPC) in its bid to have him debarred. In its application, the legal watchdog recommended that he be suspended pending further legal action.
Alternatively, the LPC wanted the court to strike Teffo off the lawyers’ roll and strip him of his practise certificate. LPC advocate Mfesane Ka-Siboto said at the time that the council had received 22 complaints against Teffo, which warrant for his removal.
Teffo argued that he was not even aware of the complaints against him, however, the LPC said it had notified him. Teffo further argued that he is a reputable lawyer with many enemies, and added that the LPC’s application is a retaliation from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the police.
“From yesterday, I have been accused of such serious allegations … and I deny them,” said Teffo at the time. “I am here because of the retaliation of the NPA, the office of the president, and the SAPS … I took an oath that I would abide by ethics.
“I have a clean record from as far back as when I was a police officer for 19 years. These faceless people are denting my name.”
Earlier in September, Teffo opened a criminal case against EFF leader Julius Malema, Afro-pop musician Kelly Khumalo and her lawyer Magdelene Moonsamy. The police confirmed that the cases, which were opened at the Johannesburg Central police station and the Brixton police station, relate to defamation of character and crimen injuria.
In response, the EFF described Teffo as an embarrassment to the legal profession.
“The EFF advises Malesela Teffo to pursue a career in which he can be the centre of attention, which is what he so desperately desires,” it said in a statement.
“The legal profession is clearly not designed for characters such as him, who enjoy being the topic of discussion rather than being officers of the court who prioritise justice over self-seeking ambitions.”
Talking Sunday World through his journey from being a policeman to an advocate, Teffo shared that he had always hated injustice and bullying.
He joined the police service in January 1995 after he was expelled from LM Mangope Agricultural College in Taung in 1993. However, his 19 years’ service as a policeman only fuelled his life-long dream to become a lawyer.
He eventually summoned the courage to pursue his dream and obtained a law degree from the University of Johannesburg. “Growing up, my dream was to become a human rights lawyer and have the family [that] I currently have,” he said, referring to his two sons and a daughter.
Also read: Teffo an embarrassment to legal profession – EFF
High court reserves judgment in LPC case against Teffo
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