Tiffany Meek’s lawyer claims there's no public outcry opposing her bail

The defence counsel for Tiffany Meek claimed there was no ‘public outcry’ opposing her bail on Friday. 

He submitted this during his cross-examination of the investigating officer in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court as his client’s claim hearing continues. 

Lawyer Noven Naidoo brought up the fact that the police sergeant previously told the court it would be in Meek’s best interest to stay behind bars. 

The court heard the public outcry from not only residents from Fleurhof, but South Africans at large, needed to be taken into consideration when making a judgment. 

The police sergeant said South Africans are angered at Meek, who was initially at the forefront for justice for her son, 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, yet she is now sitting in the dock for murder. 

Earlier this week, the court asked the investigating officer to provide the memorandum handed over to SAPS that he previously mentioned. 

Protest actions by residents at the Florida police station resulted in community activists calling for a police station in Fleurhof, more visible policing, and prioritising the murder of Jayden-Lee, days earlier. 

Naido pointed out that the memorandum was not one opposing the release of his client, as it was handed over on May 17, while his client was arrested on July 11. The police officer did not dispute this but stated there was a handwritten petition, as well as a digital petition by the public. 

“People were crying for justice for the child’s murder,” the police sergeant said. 

The magistrate confirmed the online petition (to which she had a copy) had over 2,500 signatures, but asked for access to the handwritten petition. 

IOL sourced the online petition and found it was started on July 14, the day Meek made her first court appearance. By midday, the petition had 5,914 signatures and counting. 

However, Naidoo claimed this petition was started on Tuesday, July 22, after the court’s request and that there were barely people outside the court in support of this. 

“The community activist, Ms [Natalie] Solomons, was standing outside of court, urging people to sign the petition. She offered people free transport. People only started coming to court when asked for this. There was only public outcry when the court asked for it,” Naidoo said. 

But the investigating officer corrected him: “The court only asked for it after I indicated there was a public outcry.” He said while he does not know the exact date, he knows the petition opposing bail was started once the public became aware of the identity of the individual arrested for Jayden-Lee’s murder. 

“If the State were to find another suspect, and the State is forced to withdraw charges against my client. Those same community members and activists will be standing by the accused and her family. So you see this about social media…,” Naidoo submitted. 

He further bashed the SAPS for not doing a proper job in the investigation. 

“Community activists played a more active role in getting answers or going to flats to assist the family members. There are a sequence of events that followed Jayden’s death that SAPS failed to investigate. Police refused to do their job,” he submitted. 

He also stated the same community activist, who was petitioning outside, Solomons claimed that a pillow with blood, and a substance that seemed like semen was seen at another flat that community members allegedly searched. This ‘evidence’ was even shared on Solomon’s social media, on which she has over 100,000 followers. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

IOL