As the bail hearing for Tiffany Meek enters a decisive stage, the Roodepoort Magistrate Court is on the brink of a significant ruling amidst mounting tension. Meek, a 31-year-old accused of murdering her 11-year-old son, Jayden-Lee, remains in custody as critical witness statements are still pending just days before closing arguments are scheduled to commence on Monday.
Investigating officer Nceba Diko concluded his cross-examination on Friday. Diko acknowledged that while the inquiry is nearing completion, delays in securing five key witness statements stemmed from competing casework. “This is not the only case we are working on; we had other cases on our hands,” he explained, highlighting the strains on resources within the police force.
Despite the challenges, Diko expressed confidence that the remaining witness accounts would fortify the state’s case against Meek. Citing potential risks, he reiterated his opposition to granting her bail, warning that her release could jeopardise the ongoing investigation. However, Meek’s defence attorney, Noven Naidoo, challenged this assertion, seeking to expose potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s argument.
Outside the courtroom, the tensions were palpable. Residents from Fleurhof gathered in the rain, protesting against Meek’s bail application. Their anger was fuelled not only by the serious charges against her but also by the sense of betrayal after Meek had allegedly joined local volunteers in the search for her son. Petunia Chauke, a community member, was among those carrying placards demanding justice, while other residents echoed feelings of shock and disappointment over the allegations against Meek.
The courtroom atmosphere was charged as Naidoo scrutinised the handling of evidence by police. He claimed that activist Natalie Solomons had discovered crucial information overlooked by law enforcement, including the presence of human fluid in another flat, which may have implications for the case. Yet, Solomons rebuffed the notion, accusing the defence of manipulating community efforts to absolve Meek of responsibility.
As both the state and defence brace for the final submissions on Monday, all eyes will be on the magistrate’s ruling regarding Meek’s bail.
