"Chicco Twala threatened to get me KILLED after I revealed that Kelly Khumalo is the one who shot Senzo Meyiwa dead"

Johannesburg – Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo has opened a case of intimidation and crimen injuria against music mogul Sello "Chicco" Twala, alleging that Twala threatened to have him killed by izinkabi (hitmen) during a recent phone call.

Teffo, who gained notoriety for his involvement in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, claims the alleged threat stemmed from his previous accusations that Kelly Khumalo was the one who fatally shot the former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper.

Teffo wants Twala to answer to the alleged threats in a court of law. "I don't want to dwell much on the matter because it is with the police, but he must explain to the court of the law what I have done to deserve such threats," he said. When asked why he called Twala, Teffo said that did not matter, and all he wanted was for the legendary musician to face the full might of the law. "I don't know why Chicco would want me dead. That's why I opened the case so that he can tell me in court," he said. According to a source, he was asking Chicco for money.

Teffo famously represented four of the five accused in the Meyiwa murder case. During the trial at the Gauteng North High Court, he made the explosive claim that Longwe Twala (Chicco's son) brought Twala's gun to Khumalo's house, and that Khumalo herself pulled the trigger, fatally wounding Meyiwa. Teffo further suggested that the National Prosecuting Authority should charge Khumalo, her mother Ntombi, her sister Zandie, and Longwe Twala with Meyiwa's murder.

Twala has dismissed Teffo's claims as "madness" and questioned his mental state. "Every week he is opening a case against someone. If it's not me, it's Cyril Ramaphosa. I wonder who is next. Instead of wasting state resources, he must prove that I threatened him; I won't be entertaining this madness," Twala said when contacted for comment. He suggested that Teffo needs a mental evaluation, given his frequent legal battles.

Teffo's credibility has been under scrutiny since his disbarment as an advocate in September 2022. The court found him to be lacking in "a sense of responsibility, honesty and integrity" following several incidents of professional misconduct.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed that a case of intimidation and crimen injuria has been opened at the Lyttelton Police Station. "Investigation is underway and no arrests have been made yet," Masondo said.

The case adds another layer of complexity to the already convoluted saga surrounding the Senzo Meyiwa murder, and raises further questions about the relationships and rivalries between the various individuals involved.