General Council of the Bar slams 'humiliating' Teffo arrest
The General Council of the Bar (GCB) has accused police of humiliating Advocate Malesela Teffo during his dramatic arrest at the High Court in Pretoria on Thursday.
Teffo, who represents some of the accused in Senzo Meyiwa's murder trial, was arrested shortly after Thursday's proceedings.
A group of heavily armed police officers waited for court proceedings to adjourn before swooping on him.
At the time, it was unclear why he was being arrested but it later emerged that it was linked to his alleged failure to appear in court on a separate matter.
On Friday, Teffo appeared at the Hillbrow Magistrate's Court on charges of contempt.
He was granted R10 000 bail.
GCB chairperson Craig Watt-Pringle has hit out at the way Teffo's arrest unfolded.
"Why did the SAPS, in the glare of the public, see fit to arrest an advocate in court using five or six armed officers wearing protective gear as if they are going after someone with an AK47?
"Why did they not arrange with Mr Teffo to present himself at a police station at an arranged time? That would be the normal where someone is not considered a flight risk and is told about their impending arrest. It would be unlikely to think Mr Teffo would be a flight risk?
"The appearance of it is that it was carried out in a manner for maximum effect and embarrassment and humiliation," said Watt-Pringle.
Following his court appearance on Friday, Teffo reaffirmed his position that high ranking officials within the police service and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are behind his arrest.
Watt-Pringle added the incident doesn't mean Teffo will have to pull out as the defence lawyer.
"As long as he's not being suspended from practice or removed from the roll of advocates, he can continue. He has not yet been suspended and I am not aware of it being in the pipeline.
"Usually, advocates would be suspended from practise for the kinds of infractions that call into question their honesty," Watt-Pringle explained.
The council wants the matter to be investigated.
"If no independent investigation is announced then we will definitely follow it up with the minister or the commisioner or both."
Listen to Watt-Pringle below:
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