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Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo is no stranger to controversy—but his latest revelations have once again rattled the foundations of South Africa’s justice and law enforcement institutions. Appearing on the Podcast and Chill with MacG on 17 July 2025, Teffo launched a scathing attack on several high-profile political and police figures, accusing them of corruption, conspiracy, and personal vendettas aimed at silencing him.
What began as a seemingly personal defence of his tarnished reputation quickly unfolded into a broadside against the upper echelons of power, exposing what Teffo describes as a well-oiled machinery of intimidation, manipulation, and concealment surrounding the unsolved murder of Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa.
The Mawela Allegation: Drugs, Power and Protection
Teffo did not hold back when naming former Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, as a central figure in the province’s drug trade. Echoing previous comments by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on the existence of drug cartels, Teffo declared:
“Mawela is the one supplying the drugs in Gauteng.”
These claims, while bold, are difficult to separate from Teffo’s ongoing campaign to prove he was unfairly disbarred in 2022. He insists that his removal from the legal roll was orchestrated by Mawela and other political elites to prevent him from unearthing the truth about Meyiwa’s death.
Seventeen Months in Prison: Poison, Pressure and Political Retaliation
In an emotional recounting of his time behind bars from August 2023 to December 2024, Teffo claimed that his imprisonment was not only unjust but potentially fatal. He described being arrested without charge, enduring 84 days in custody before facing formal allegations, and a near-death experience after allegedly being poisoned by a meal laced with toxins.
He pointed fingers directly at EFF leader Julius Malema and three former Cabinet ministers—Bheki Cele, Pieter Groenewald, and Ronald Lamola—whom he accused of pressuring prison authorities to prolong his detention.
“These three people are involved… assuring the president that don’t worry,” Teffo alleged.
Teffo believes their motivation was to stop him from exposing damning truths surrounding the Meyiwa case—a murder he claims was never a robbery gone wrong, but an accidental shooting involving Longwe Twala’s firearm, allegedly handed to Senzo by Kelly Khumalo during a domestic confrontation.
The Malema Feud: Defamation and Judicial Interference
Teffo’s feud with Malema dates back to 2022, when the EFF leader ridiculed him at a press conference, calling him “the worst lawyer” and unfit to bear the title of advocate. Teffo responded with legal action, but now claims Malema actively lobbied for his disbarment through influence within the Judicial Services Commission.
He alleges Malema and others sought to protect not only themselves but also a broader network implicated in the Meyiwa cover-up, including prosecutor George Baloyi—whom Teffo accuses of using his own .38 revolver in what he controversially describes as a ritualistic killing.
Family Fallout and Financial Ruin
Teffo’s 17-month incarceration left a trail of devastation at home. His children were expelled from private school, his family evicted, and his law office shuttered with hundreds of thousands in arrears. He now relies on sporadic legal work and a crowdfunding campaign initiated by supporters moved by his story.
Through it all, Teffo claims divine intervention has kept him going:
“God hates the cowards… I will go through.”
Credibility Questioned, Yet Questions Remain
While Teffo’s sensational claims cannot be ignored, they are complicated by his disbarment for misconduct, which included making baseless accusations—like calling a judge a witch. His credibility is understandably under scrutiny. Still, some South Africans believe his persistence and perilous journey hint at hidden truths the public has a right to know.
With the Meyiwa trial set to resume on 21 July 2025, Teffo has vowed to testify and continue shining a light on what he insists is a state-sanctioned cover-up. Whether seen as a whistleblower, a martyr, or a disgraced figure seeking redemption, one thing is clear—Malesela Teffo refuses to be silenced.
Conclusion: A Nation on Trial
Teffo’s latest bombshells force South Africans to grapple with uncomfortable questions. Is he a deluded former advocate chasing lost glory—or a man punished for getting too close to the truth? As public trust in institutions continues to erode, the unfolding drama around Senzo Meyiwa’s death increasingly feels less like a murder mystery and more like a national reckoning.
Stay tuned as the trial resumes. In the court of public opinion, the verdict is far from in.
