Two witnesses have testified in the trial of Tiffany Nicole Meek in the Johannesburg High Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

The 32-year-old is accused of murdering her son, Jayden-Lee Meek. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, crimen injuria and defeating the ends of justice.

The trial resumed on June 11 and 12, with the state continuing to present its case against Meek.

• Also read: Murder accused Meek details her version of events in court

The state’s first witness, Constable Muhammad Saib, took the stand on June 11. Saib handled the missing person’s case and assisted in the search on May 13, 2025, the night Jayden-Lee reportedly disappeared.

Saib testified that Meek appeared calm, composed and unemotional when she, her mother and her brother reported the child missing at the Florida Police Station.

The state’s second witness, Sergeant Rito Ngoveni, testified on June 12. She told the court that she was also involved in the search for Jayden-Lee at Swazi Place.

Ngoveni testified that the search, involving police officers and family members, began shortly after 22:00 and initially focused on the scholar transport driver, who was believed to be the last person to see Jayden-Lee.

• Also read: Meek pleads not guilty to son’s murder

According to Ngoveni, Meek immediately expressed suspicion towards the driver when the search party visited his residence. Despite the driver’s insistence that he had dropped Jayden-Lee off at about 16:30, Meek allegedly accused him of lying.

After failing to locate the child, the search party returned to the Swazi Place complex.

Ngoveni testified that a security guard denied any knowledge of the disappearance but confirmed seeing Jayden-Lee twice that day – once when he arrived home in his school uniform and again after changing clothes.

When asked about Meek’s demeanour, Ngoveni said she remained calm throughout the search. The officer, who told the court she has extensive experience in missing-person cases, testified that most parents typically display concern or panic in such situations.

• Also read: Meek case postponed for plea proceedings

Ngoveni further testified that she believed Meek knew something about her child’s disappearance.

However, she told the court that she did not act on her suspicions because she did not want to victimise Meek.

Under cross-examination, Ngoveni acknowledged that police did not search Meek’s apartment on the night of the disappearance.

She also confirmed that not all units in the complex were searched.

According to Ngoveni, Meek had told officers that Jayden-Lee did not have friends or connections within the complex, which influenced the scope of the search. She added that it was late and that residents did not respond when officers knocked on doors.

The matter was postponed to August 19 and 20, when the scholar transport driver is expected to testify.