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Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo is facing arrest after making a surprise appearance at the Johannesburg High Court during the trial of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and his co-accused.
Also see: Disbarred Malesela Teffo makes courtroom return at Cat Matlala murder trial
According to SABC News, the Legal Practice Council (LPC) confirmed on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, that a warrant of arrest has been issued for Malesela, who remains struck from the roll of legal practitioners and is not legally permitted to practise in South Africa.
Malesela Teffo arrives at court in legal robes
Malesela appeared at the Johannesburg High Court on Monday while proceedings in the attempted murder case against Cat and four co-accused were under way.
Dressed in full legal robes, Malesela attempted to address Judge Cassim Moosa and indicated that he wanted to intervene on behalf of the five accused. He claimed that their constitutional rights had been violated.
However, the defence teams objected to his intervention, arguing that Malesela had no legal standing to represent the accused and that his appearance was delaying proceedings.
The court subsequently ordered Malesela to provide documentary proof that he had been readmitted to practise before his application could be considered, reported eNCA.
Malesela Teffo remains struck from the roll
The latest development has prompted the LPC to reiterate that Malesela has not been readmitted to the legal profession.
According to the LPC’s Gauteng director, Ignatius Briel, Malesela remains struck from the roll and cannot practise as a lawyer in South Africa.
According to SABC News, Ignatius said the council had obtained a contempt order after Malesela was found to have disobeyed the original order striking him from the roll. A warrant of arrest was subsequently issued.
The LPC is now working with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to have the warrant executed.
Also see: Advocate Teffo changes tune about Kelly Khumalo – Mzansi is concerned
No formal readmission application
The LPC has also clarified that Malesela has not followed the formal process required to return to legal practice.
Ignatius explained that a person who has been struck from the roll must submit a formal readmission application to the LPC and demonstrate that they have been rehabilitated and addressed the issues that resulted in their removal.
The application would then go through the relevant provincial and national LPC structures before ultimately being considered by a court. The process can take several months.
The council says Malesela has not submitted such an application.
A dramatic interruption to the Matlala trial
Malesela’s appearance came as the trial-within-a-trial in the case against Matlala and his four co-accused continued.
Cat, his wife Tsakani Matlala, Musa Kekana, Tiego Mabusela and Nthabiseng Nzama face multiple charges linked to alleged assassination attempts.
The accused’s legal representatives rejected Malesela’s attempt to intervene, with one lawyer arguing that his client’s court time was being wasted.
After Malesela’s intervention was blocked, the court returned to the evidence in the trial-within-a-trial. A new witness is expected to testify as proceedings continue.
Malesela Teffo’s legal history
Malesela was struck from the roll of advocates by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria in September 2022 following an application by the LPC.
He later faced criminal charges but was acquitted of six charges in July 2026. However, the LPC subsequently clarified that his acquittal did not automatically restore his status as a legal practitioner.
For now, the LPC maintains that Malesela remains disbarred, while police are expected to act on the outstanding warrant.
Malesela has not been convicted of any new criminal offence arising from his latest court appearance. The warrant relates to the contempt order concerning his previous striking-off order.
Also see: Advocate Teffo opens up about Senzo Meyiwa case on podcast
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