The State has begun piecing together the final movements of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, with his former scholar transport driver and teacher testifying about their last encounters with him before his death.
The evidence was heard on Wednesday in the Johannesburg High Court, sitting at Palm Ridge, as the murder trial of Jayden-Lee’s mother, Tiffany Nicole Meek, resumed following a two-month postponement. Meek has pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
Jayden-Lee was reported missing on 13 May 2025 after he failed to return home from school. His body was discovered the following morning near a staircase at the Swazi Place residential complex in Fleurhof, where he lived with his mother. The State alleges that he was struck with a blunt object and that blood was later found on his bed and school uniform. Prosecutors further allege that the scene was staged to mislead investigators.
Driver recounts final journey
Former scholar transport driver Mzwakhe Khumalo told the court that he collected Jayden-Lee from school on the afternoon of 13 May and transported him to the Fleurhof complex.
Khumalo said Jayden-Lee was wearing a red school tracksuit and carrying his school bag when he was dropped off at Swazi Place at about 3.15pm to 3.30pm.
He testified that a security guard opened the complex’s gate before Jayden-Lee entered the premises.
Khumalo said he did not have direct dealings with Tiffany Meek and did not have her telephone number. He became involved in the transport arrangements after another operator experienced problems with her vehicle.
The driver also told the court that the allegations surrounding Jayden-Lee’s disappearance had severely affected his business and family.
Khumalo said parents withdrew their children from his transport service after he was allegedly blamed for the boy’s disappearance. He also testified that his daughter was bullied at school and that he feared for his own safety.
According to his evidence, people began identifying his vehicle as the minibus that had transported Jayden-Lee on the day he disappeared.
Teacher recalls final sighting
Jayden-Lee’s teacher also took the stand and described seeing him outside the school grounds after classes on 13 May.
Rethabile Maswanganyi said Jayden-Lee appeared to be waiting for his transport when she saw him. She briefly said goodbye before continuing on her way home.
The teacher testified that Jayden-Lee was wearing his red tracksuit and carrying his school bag.
She told the court that she only became aware that something was wrong during the early hours of 14 May, when she noticed a missed call and deleted message from Meek.
According to her testimony, she later received a message from Meek informing her that Jayden-Lee was missing. She subsequently learnt of his death later that morning.
Conflicting accounts over school uniform
The testimony has also raised questions about what Jayden-Lee was wearing on the day he disappeared.
The defence’s plea explanation states that Meek saw her son leave for school wearing grey school trousers, a white shirt and black takkies.
However, both the teacher and transport driver testified that Jayden-Lee was wearing a red tracksuit when they saw him that day.
The teacher explained that pupils were expected to wear tracksuits on Wednesdays and Fridays, although learners sometimes wore them on other days.
State continues building its case
The latest testimony forms part of the State’s effort to establish a timeline of Jayden-Lee’s final known movements and events surrounding his disappearance and death.
Earlier in the trial, police witnesses testified about the search for the child and Meek’s conduct after he was reported missing. Sergeant Rito Koveni told the court in June that she believed Meek appeared unusually calm during the search, while Meek had allegedly accused the transport driver of being involved in her son’s disappearance. The defence has challenged aspects of the police evidence.
Meek remains in custody after she was denied bail in July 2025. She faces charges including murder, child abuse, crimen injuria and defeating or attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
The trial is expected to continue on 26 August, when further evidence will be heard. An in loco inspection at the Swazi Place complex in Fleurhof has also been arranged.