Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo has been sentenced to 12 months of suspended imprisonment by the Pretoria High Court after being found in contempt of a strike-off order.
What are the conditions of Malesela Teffo suspended sentence?
The saga unfolded when the South African Legal Practice Council (LPC) earlier this year initiated a contempt of court application against Teffo.
The application was in response to Teffo’s disregard for several facets of the strike-off order dated 16 September 2023, which ultimately led to his disbarment.
This matter reached a crucial point last Friday when the high court electronically delivered its judgment, sentencing Teffo to a year of suspended imprisonment for his contemptuous actions.
The situation garnered significant attention during the Senzo Meyiwa trial on 17 May 2023, when Teffo, donned in his black barrister gown, appeared to represent the interests of Sifiso Meyiwa, leaving the courtroom in disbelief.
Teffo’s audacious demand to be recognised as Sifiso Meyiwa’s legal counsel, despite his disbarred status, stirred the courtroom and tested the patience of Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela.
Teffo’s brazen confrontation with Judge Maumela, expressing his representation of Sifiso Meyiwa and Orlando Pirates management, disregarded the judge’s warnings and delayed the day’s proceedings by over an hour.
His appearance came a mere week after the contempt application was served on him, showcasing a blatant disregard for the legal process.
While Teffo received 12 months imprisonment for his actions, the sentence was suspended on the condition of Teffo’s full compliance with the initial strike-off order.
The judgement further clarified that the LPC has the right to invoke an application to immediately enforce the suspended sentence should Teffo continue to breach the strike-off order.
Furthermore, the high court dismissed Teffo’s counter-application and recession/variation application, directing him to bear the costs of the contempt application and other related legal costs, escalating the financial repercussions of his actions.