The case against murder accused Tiffany Nicole Meek has been postponed for the finalisation of an indictment.

According to Roodepoort Record, Meek appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court this morning. There was a strong police presence, and proceedings went ahead without any public disturbances.

Jayden-Lee (11) was reported missing on May 13 after he failed to return home from school. His lifeless, half-naked body was found a day later near the staircase in the Swazi Place complex, just metres from the front door of his home.

The court heard that Jayden-Lee had suffered a blunt-force head injury. His belongings, including a school bag, shoes and a red school jacket, were found at Unit 13, where he lived.

Defence maintains innocence

Briefing the media, Meek’s defence attorney Noven Naidoo said that once the indictment has been served, they expect the matter to be transferred to the High Court. Naidoo maintained his client’s innocence, stating that the state has a weak case against her.

“However, we will wait for the outcome of the investigations and thereafter we can look at the evidence and explore opportunities for a bail appeal or bringing an appeal on new facts,” he said.

Meek has spent more than two months in prison, with her bail application denied on July 29. The court ruled that she had been dishonest and untruthful.

Naidoo said she is trying to stay positive and come to terms with being incarcerated. “The difficult part is that she has to be incarcerated for a long time, unable to properly consult and prepare her defence,” he said.

Petition for fair treatment

Naidoo also confirmed there is an ongoing petition, launched in August, calling for Meek to be treated fairly and considered innocent until proven guilty.

He noted that it remains unclear who initiated the petition, but confirmed it did not come from the family or the defence.

“We believe it is one of the concerned citizens who believes Tiffany is innocent, with the hope that it can be used in her bail application in the future. Once the petition has been finalised, they will make it available to the defence.”

Next court date

Meek is facing charges of crimen injuria, attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice.

The case is set to continue on November 5.

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Noven Naidoo, Tiffany Meek’s defence attorney, briefs the media. #JaydenLeeMeek #justiceforjayden #murder #fyp

♬ original sound – Caxton JHB West