Tiffany Meek, the mother accused of killing her 11-year-old son Jayden-Lee Meek, was denied bail in a decision delivered at the close of her formal bail application at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court.
Tiffany Meek to remain in custody after bail denial in son’s murder case
The ruling was delivered in a packed courtroom as the magistrate explained her reasons in detail.
In South Africa, bail can be denied if the court believes that releasing a person would not be in the “interests of justice.”
The magistrate referred to Section 60(4) of the Criminal Procedure Act, which allows for bail to be refused if there is a strong possibility that the accused will not stand trial, may interfere with witnesses, or might undermine the legal process.
According to the magistrate, Meek failed to prove that she should be released.
The court questioned her credibility, stating that some of her answers during the hearing were vague, confusing, or simply not truthful.
Among the key issues was how Meek reported her son missing, allegedly knowing he had already died and that his body was in their home.
This, according to the state, was a deliberate attempt to mislead investigators and shift attention away from herself.
The court also heard that Meek pointed the finger at a transport driver, suggesting he had taken the child, despite knowing otherwise.
The magistrate noted this was not just misleading but also showed a “conscious decision to misdirect the investigation.”
The magistrate said Meek’s behaviour raised serious concerns that she might interfere with witnesses or the ongoing investigation.
She added that Meek had no fixed address and that her access to multiple locations made her a flight risk.
She also cast a spotlight on the seriousness of the charge. If convicted, Meek could face a life sentence. The potential severity of the punishment, combined with her questionable behavior, made it unsafe to release her.
The court made it abundantly clear that honesty is critical during a bail application. Any attempt to confuse or mislead the court undermines the legal process.
The magistrate said that Meek’s conduct showed a pattern of dishonesty, and this played a major role in the decision to keep her in custody.
Although the court has denied bail, there is currently no set date for the start of pretrial proceedings.
The case remains open, and Meek will stay behind bars until further notice.