Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo made an unexpected appearance at the Johannesburg High Court on Monday as the trial of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and his co-accused resumed after a three-week break.
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Malesela, who remains struck off the roll of legal practitioners despite his recent acquittal on six criminal charges, told reporters that he intends to approach the court over what he believes are violations of the accused’s constitutional rights, EWN reports.
According to the publication, the Legal Practice Council (LPC) has previously made it clear that Malesela’s acquittal did not automatically restore his right to practise law. The council says he remains barred from practising until a formal readmission process has been completed and approved.
Malesela Teffo wants to address the judge
Malesela told reporters that he planned to address the judge in chambers and intended to file an application through his foundation. He said the application would focus on the treatment of the accused and what he believes are infringements of their rights.
Malesela’s appearance comes despite the LPC’s position that he is not currently entitled to act as a legal practitioner in South Africa. The council has stressed that being acquitted of criminal charges and being considered fit and proper to practise law are separate legal questions.
According to SAFLII, Malesela was struck from the roll by the Pretoria High Court in 2022 following findings of serious professional misconduct. A subsequent court judgment also recorded that he had been found in contempt for breaching the strike-off order.
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Cat Matlala trial resumes
Meanwhile, the main proceedings against Cat and his four co-accused resumed in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday.
Cat, his wife Tsakane Matlala, Musa Kekana, Tiego Floyd Mabusela and Nthabiseng Nzama face 25 charges, including attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and money laundering. The allegations relate to alleged assassination attempts targeting people including socialite Tebogo Thobejane, businessman Joe Sibanyoni and music producer DJ Vettys.
All the accused have pleaded not guilty.
The court’s current focus is a trial-within-a-trial dealing with evidence obtained during and after Kekana’s arrest.
Court to decide on Malesela Teffo’s involvement
For now, it remains for the court to determine whether and to what extent Malesela can participate in the proceedings.
IOL reported that his intervention comes shortly after his acquittal on six criminal charges, which he said had damaged his reputation and professional relationships. However, the LPC has warned that the acquittal does not amount to reinstatement and that Malesela would need to follow the formal readmission process before he could legally practise again.
As the Cat proceedings continue, the court will have to deal with the admissibility of the contested evidence while also considering any application Malesela seeks to bring.
The trial is scheduled to continue through 18 September 2026, following the court’s earlier decision to pause proceedings from 11 to 28 August.
Also see: ‘Enough is enough!’: Kelly hits back at allegations regarding Meyiwa’s death
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