JOHANNESBURG – Former defence lawyer in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Advocate Malesela Teffo, has accused top prison officials of offering him R45 million to abandon the case, alleging he was poisoned and now fears for his life.
Teffo made the startling claims during a broadcast of Podcast and Chill with MacG, where he shared details of what he called a targeted campaign to silence him over the high-profile murder of the Bafana Bafana captain.
He told the podcast that while detained at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria, he was taken out of his cell at night by the prison’s acting head, a Mr Magubane, who allegedly pleaded with him to accept the bribe in exchange for stepping away from the case.
According to Teffo, the offer came with heavy personal costs, as he lost his father while incarcerated. He added that he suspects he was deliberately poisoned with a slow-acting substance during his time in jail.
“I won’t die. If they want me dead, they must ask God first,” said Teffo, who broke down in tears during the interview. He also alleged that at least eleven individuals connected to the murder case have died under questionable circumstances, raising fears that he could be next.
Meyiwa was shot and killed on 26 October 2014 inside the Vosloorus home of his then-girlfriend, singer and actress Kelly Khumalo. Present at the house were Khumalo’s sister, close friends, and other associates. Authorities initially described the killing as a botched house robbery.
Despite the arrest and prosecution of five suspects, Teffo has insisted they are innocent. He pointed to Longwe Twala, son of music producer Chicco Twala, as the real culprit, claiming Meyiwa was killed during a heated confrontation involving Twala linked to a romantic dispute.
Teffo also referenced a second police docket, Docket 375, which reportedly recommended investigating Kelly Khumalo and others present during the shooting for their alleged roles in the murder.
The advocate further accused former Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela of being part of drug operations in the province. Both Mawela and the South African Police Service have yet to respond to the allegations.
Teffo’s statements have fuelled renewed public anger over the unresolved case, which remains one of South Africa’s most talked-about murder trials almost a decade later.
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