South Africa: Drama unfolds as advocate Teffo gets arrested during Senzo Meyiwa trial

28/04/22

Advocate Malesela Teffo, who is representing four of the five suspects linked to the murder of Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa, was dramatically arrested during the trial at the Pretoria High Court on Thursday.

It is still not clear why Teffo was arrested inside the courtroom, which took place while the proceedings were under way and the trial postponed to May 30.

The cheeky Teffo had Mzansi in stitches as he continued to poke holes in the testimony of Sergeant Thabo Johannes Mosia during cross-examination. Mosia, a forensic fieldworker, is the first state witness. He started his testimony on Tuesday.

Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela repeatedly reminded Teffo to ask relevant questions. He was trending on social media earlier for his classic comebacks.

[…]

https://sundayworld.co.za/news/drama-as-advocate-teffo-gets-arrested-during-senzo-meyiwa-trial/

Senzo Meyiwa trial: Bheki Cele is behind my arrest, says Dan Teffo

Advocate Malesela Teffo: Here’s why Cele allegedly doesn’t want him around

Advocate Dan Teffo’s life may now be at greater risk than ever

South Africa: Thohoyandou attorney shot dead

18/01/22

The Thohoyandou police are searching for two suspects connected with the blatant murder of a prominent local attorney.

Mr Mbambadzani James Manwadu (46), an attorney attached to the Legal Aid Board in Thohoyandou, was gunned down in front of his home in Maniini Block K on Sunday night, 16 January, at about 20:30.

According to Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, Manwadu arrived home on the night of the incident, and as he was getting out of his motor vehicle to open the gate, he was reportedly approached by two suspects, who shot him several times.

“Following the incident, the police and emergency services were called, and the victim was certified dead at the scene. The motive is unknown at this stage and police investigations are still ongoing,” said Mojapelo.

[…]

https://www.zoutnet.co.za/articles/news/55445/2022-01-18/thohoyandou-lawyer-shot-dead

Limpopo police are searching for suspects who allegedly shot and killed a 46-year-old lawyer in Thohoyandou. #sabcnews

— Radio 2000 (@Radio2000_ZA) January 18, 2022

Limpopo police are searching for suspects who allegedly shot and killed a lawyer in Thohoyandou. Police spokesperson, Motlafela Mojapelo says James Manwadu was shot and killed allegedly by two suspects outside his home in Maniini outside Thohoyandou on Sunday. #sabcnews

— SAfm news (@SAfmnews) January 18, 2022

South Africa: Senior advocate deems attack on him ‘a hit’

11/06/21

A senior advocate at the Johannesburg bar narrowly escaped with his life after two men assaulted him while he spent the night at Klipspringer Lodge on the Uitkyk Road.

The advocate, Leon Halgryn, told Lowvelder that the attack was not a robbery, but a hit. “I am very lucky and very thankful to be alive,” said Halgryn.

“There were two men who attacked me. Their intention was not to rob me, but to kill me. This was a hit.”

Halgryn said all the windows of his vehicle had been shot out by the attackers during the attempted hit.

The revered advocate was in Mbombela for a court case and had been staying overnight at Klipspringer before travelling back to Johannesburg on Wednesday.

He phoned the lawyer who was briefing him in the case after the incident had occurred.

[…]

Senior advocate deems attack on him ‘a hit’

South Africa: 5 legal representatives shot, 5 high profile cases

22/05/21

Are members of the legal fraternity well protected when it comes to covering high-profile cases?

According to the Department of Justice, extra safety protocols are in place to protect legal counsels. However, on Sunday, May 16, the Magistrate who was overseeing the case involving alleged crime boss Nafiz Modack was shot in the buttocks while waiting at a carwash in Mfuleni.

It is alleged Magistrate Abram Mashala was in Taurmaline Street in the Bardale Informal Settlement when assailants opened fire, killing a female police officer and wounding her three-year-old grandson in the process.

According to IOL, for the past five years, five legal officers have either been wounded or killed, in Cape Town. Mashala is not the first presiding officer overseeing a high-profile case that has been shot.

High-profile criminal lawyer, Noorudien Hassan, who represented the likes of alleged 28 gang boss, Ralph Stanfield, was shot and killed in front of his home in Lansdowne in November 2016.

Another incident that rocked the legal fraternity was that of Advocate Pete Mihalik, who was and killed in October 2018.

Mihalik was dropping off his children at a school in Green Point. His alleged attackers are currently carrying out pre-trial conditions at the Cape High Court.

Advocate Vernon Jantjies who presided as a magistrate at the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court was killed outside a garage in Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain in December 2019. His murder was never solved.

Well, known advocate William Booth survived an assassination attempt in April 2020, when gunmen opened fire on him outside his house.

[…]

5 legal representatives shot, 5 high profile cases

https://www.iol.co.za/weekend-argus/news/members-of-legal-fraternity-fearing-for-their-lives-69f73c15-ddea-4d37-905d-833e9784a70f

https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/extra-security-on-cards-for-magistrate-in-modack-case-e7b28dbf-e657-4ce1-acb9-d3610ccaa978

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/inside-the-attempted-hit-on-cape-town-lawyer-william-booth-20210424

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/is-this-why-lawyer-william-booth-was-shot-at-20210504

https://www.lssa.org.za/

Magistrate Abram Mashala was in the vicinity of a car wash when assailants opened fire in Taurmaline Street in the Bardale Informal Settlement.@CapeTimesSA #modack
https://t.co/m1QemdlVRS

— IOL News (@IOL) May 19, 2021

South Africa: Prominent Durban attorney Theasen Pillay stabbed to death

08/05/21

A prominent Durban attorney was found dead, with stab wounds to his chest and hands, police said on Friday.

Theasen Pillay, 47, of Theasen Pillay and Associates, was found in his Umhlanga apartment on Friday.

“An inquest docket was opened for investigation by Durban North SAPS. The Durban North police received a complaint of a man who was found with stab wounds on Solstice Drive in Umhlanga Ridge,” police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said.

She said he was certified dead at the scene and his death would be investigated.

“They proceeded to the scene, where a body of a 47-year-old man was found inside the bedroom, with two stab wounds to the chest and on the left hand. He was certified dead by paramedics. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.”

[…]

Pillay spearheaded a number of controversial matters in Durban, including a case in which a man was suing the health department after maggots were found in his father’s mouth during a hospital stay.

He also once represented the late King Goodwill Zwelithini, in his plan to sue MiWay over a leaked conversation between one of the insurance company’s sales reps and Zwelithini.

Prominent Durban attorney Theasen Pillay stabbed to death

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/prominent-durban-attorney-stabbed-to-death-20210507

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/confirmed-saps-set-to-probe-durban-attorneys-death-6e010efe-96cf-4ff5-b029-bd9bf8c20703

Theasen Pillay: Police investigate after attorney found dead

South Africa: Six men arrested for murder of young lawyer in Pietermaritzburg

September 13, 2019

Six suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of a candidate attorney outside the Saki Pacific Grill restaurant on Victoria Road in Pietermaritzburg in the early hours of Friday.

Police spokesperson Sgt Mthokozisi Ngobese said the victim, Mluleki Msomi, 25, was attending a function in the area and went outside at about 1am to sit inside his white Toyota double cab bakkie.

“He was approached by two people and gunshots were fired. The deceased died on the scene.”

The first two suspects were arrested near the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg with a gun and bloody clothes.

The victim’s vehicle was recovered on Milner Road where another suspect was arrested. Three other suspects were also arrested.

“All six suspects will appear in court on Monday to face charges of hijacking and murder,” Ngobese said.

Austen Smith Attorneys, where Msomi started serving articles as a candidate attorney from last year, described him in a Facebook post as a friendly, dedicated young man with a big heart and an easygoing personality.

It said Msomi was due to be admitted as an attorney after serving his two years at the firm.

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-09-13-six-men-arrested-for-murder-of-young-lawyer-in-pietermaritzburg/

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/six-held-for-lawyers-murder-20190916

South Africa: Lawyers strike ‘spells disaster’ amid court chaos

August 20, 2019

The lawyers are aggrieved by lack of security at their offices, as well as the heavy workload, among others.

Court officials have told of a chaotic Monday at the courts during the first day of the strike by Legal Aid SA lawyers, with cases unheard and postponed.

A court orderly at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, which had a total of 48 old cases and more than 20 first appearances on the roll, said none of the legal aid lawyers from the Wynberg offices reported for duty.

“The state had no other choice but to request that the matters be postponed. If this is not resolved speedily, it could spell a complete disaster,” the court official, who did not want to be named, said.

The public legal representation agency, which assists about 725,000 people each year, according to its chief executive officer Vidhu Vedalankar, confirmed there were disruptions, with Gauteng the most affected.

Spokesperson Mfanafuthi Shabangu said there were minor disruptions in the flow of cases, particularly in Benoni, Palm Ridge and Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

…

https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/2168969/lawyers-strike-spells-disaster-amid-court-chaos/

https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/protests/2168544/legal-aid-sa-lawyers-go-on-strike-over-several-labour-grievances/

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-08-20-chaos-at-courts-as-lawyers-protest/

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-08-20-lawyers-strike-delays-bail-hearing-for-shack-grave-suspect/

https://newsvideo.su/video/11286925

South Africa: Man gunned down in downtown Joburg believed to be a lawyer

June 25, 2019

Johannesburg police are investigating a case of murder after a man, believed to be a lawyer, was shot dead outside a law firm in the city’s central business district on Tuesday.

Police spokesperson Constable Moloto Kgatla said the incident happened in Newtown at around 8am on Tuesday morning.

“The gentleman had just got out of his vehicle. He went to the boot of the car to take out something. As he was approaching his place of work, a man who came out of nowhere shot him several times,” said Kgatla, adding that the man died at the scene.

“The man who shot him fled the scene in another vehicle.”

In a video circulating on social media, the victim can be seen reversing his car into a parking spot. He gets out and takes a bag out of the boot. As he is walking on the pavement, another man is seen coming from behind, shooting the victim several times before fleeing the scene.

The motive behind the killing is not known and police have not arrested anyone in connection with the incident.

…

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-06-25-man-gunned-down-in-downtown-joburg-believed-to-be-a-lawyer/

https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/architect-shot-multiple-times-outside-joburg-law-firm-27553797

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/man-shot-and-killed-in-newtown-police-hunt-for-suspects-20190625

South Africa: Cape Town Lawyer Shot Dead in Khayelitsha

May 20, 2019

A Cape Town criminal attorney has been shot dead at a spaza shop in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, a source told News24.

David Mbazwana previously represented a security company boss and bouncer accused of having links to the criminal underworld.

“He was shot in front of a spaza shop in Khayelitsha in the presence of his sister in an apparent robbery,” the source told News24 on Sunday, the day Mbazwana was shot dead.

Mbazwana was one of the lawyers for Grant Veroni, of the company Skhosana Maponyane Hall Phillips and Khumalo, trading as The Security Group (TSG), who authorities accused of having links to underworld activities, News24 earlier reported.

Western Cape police have confirmed that a shooting incident took place at the Eiland informal settlement, Makhaza, Khayelitsha on Sunday afternoon.

“According to reports the 38-year-old victim was allegedly shot by unknown suspects and he died on the way to hospital,” spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said in a statement on Monday.

…

https://allafrica.com/stories/201905210264.html

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/ex-lawyer-for-aviwe-jam-jam-murder-accused-shot-dead-in-front-of-sister-23639273

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/cape-town-lawyer-shot-dead-in-khayelitsha-20190519

https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/three-held-in-murder-case-of-cape-town-laywer-david-mbazwana-20190523

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-05-30-legal-fraternity-under-siege-in-the-cape/

South Africa: Lawyers’ strike threatens to shut down courts countrywide

May 14, 2019

Lawyers being attacked by disgruntled legal aid clients because of a lack of security and monstrous workloads are just two of their grievances.

The wheels of justice could grind to a halt countrywide if a brewing national strike at Legal Aid SA is not averted, and workers’ grievances regarding a lack of security at their offices, debilitating workloads and bullying are not addressed.

Following years of fruitless engagements with management, aggrieved workers – including lawyers and support staff – fired the first salvo last year when they obtained a strike certificate from the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).

As part of the picketing rules agreed upon with the employer building up to a full-blown strike, workers will today hold demonstrations at the public legal agency’s Braamfontein offices.

The agency yesterday confirmed that chief executive officer Vidhu Vedalankar will accept a memorandum of grievances from the workers, with timeframes for a response.

Legal Aid SA provides legal services in criminal and civil matters for those earning between below R8,000, and receives funding from parliament. The agency has 64 local offices, six provincial offices, and one national office.

According to its annual report, the vast majority of cases it handled were criminal cases at 371 202 (87%), compared to 55 794 (13%) in the previous financial year.

 

…

https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/courts/2130325/lawyers-strike-threatens-to-shut-down-courts-countrywide/

https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/general/2130787/legal-aid-sa-accused-of-intimidation-to-stop-demonstration/

https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/protests/2131649/legal-aid-sa-staff-start-go-slow-over-grievances/

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2019-05-14-legal-aid-sa-strike-looms-over-poor-working-conditions-slashed-benefits/

http://www.702.co.za/articles/348350/legal-aid-lawyers-to-stage-morning-protest

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/legal-aid-lawyers-in-fear-of-clients-demand-security-guards-23543079