Disbarred controversial attorney Malesela Teffo, has levelled serious allegations against former Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, accusing him of being a drug supplier in the province.
Teffo made these claims during an appearance on the Podcast and Chill with Macgyver “MacG” Mukwevho, with JJ Sesing substituting for co-host Sol Phenduka, on Thursday.
Teffo, previously a defence lawyer for four of the five accused in the high-profile murder case of Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, was disbarred in 2022 for unethical conduct. This included taking briefs directly from clients and making baseless claims, such as accusing Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela of witchcraft.
Controversial history
His controversial history casts a shadow over his credibility. Yet he remains vocal about alleged corruption in the Meyiwa trial.
Teffo claimed Mawela is a key figure in Gauteng’s drug cartels.
“When Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was talking about drug cartels in Gauteng, Mawela is the one supplying the drugs in Gauteng. I know each and every skeleton within his or her, some have gorilla skeletons,” he said.
He further alleged that his disbarment was orchestrated by Mawela.
“This thing of me being struck off the roll was caused by Mawela, I have the evidence.”
Corruption within the Meyiwa murder trial
These accusations align with Teffo’s ongoing narrative of systematic corruption within the Meyiwa murder trial, suggesting senior police officials obstruct justice to protect powerful interests.
He warned of the risks of exposing such figures.
“If you hear of dodgy dealings in SAPS as a member and you want to be a whistleblower, you’d be lucky to be just fired. Because worse can be done.”
Teffo reiterated his belief that the five accused in the Meyiwa murder trial are innocent. They are Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa, and Fisokuhle Ntuli.
He claimed the real culprits were among those present in Kelly Khumalo’s Vosloorus home when Meyiwa was killed in 2014.
According to Teffo: “No one entered in this house. If there’s a killer, if Senzo was killed or shot by someone, the shooter is in the house. The murder weapon is in the house.”
Meyiwa ‘accidentally shot’
He further alleged that Meyiwa was accidentally shot. This happened when Kelly Khumalo was handing him a firearm belonging to Longwe Twala. Twala had visited the house to confront Zandile Khumalo over suspected infidelity with one of Meyiwa’s friends.
Teffo claimed that accused numbers 1 and 2 (Sibiya and Ntanzi) have “iron-clad alibis”. He said they were in KwaZulu-Natal at the time of the murder. When pressed on his sources, Teffo cited “research and investigation” and information from “eyewitnesses”.
Teffo’s allegations against Mawela build on his history of interference by high-ranking officials. In 2022, during the Meyiwa trial, he was arrested in court. He later claimed the arrest was orchestrated by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office.
President ‘hatched his downfall’
“When I was arrested in this court, it was a plan hatched from the president. That I am a problematic advocate.”
These claims, combined with his disbarment, raise questions about the reliability of his accusations.
Teffo’s latest allegations against Mawela amplify his narrative of corruption and obstruction in the Meyiwa case. While his claims are sensational, his disbarment and history of unsubstantiated accusations undermine their credibility.
