The Legal Practice Council (LPC) has sent a notice to legal practitioners, reminding them of the importance of maintaining decorum in court and during their conduct with presiding officers and colleagues.

This follows the butting of heads among legal counsel and the judge in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial this week.

As previously reported, in the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) on Monday, Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela reprimanded Advocate Malesela Teffo for continuously disregarding court processes and refusing to listen. Teffo represents four of the men accused of murdering former Bafana Bafana captain Meyiwa in Vosloorus in October 2014. 

The LPC on Tuesday said in its notice: ‘The council has noted with concern a decline in the decorum, some which has been seen in our courts. Legal practitioners are reminded of the code of conduct that is binding on all legal practitioners, and which is aimed at ensuring high standards of professionalism and dignity within the profession. The council urges all practitioners to conduct themselves in a dignified manner towards the judiciary, colleagues and all stakeholders in line with the Legal Practice Act, the code of conduct and the high standards that are expected of the profession'.

Teffo had raised issues relating to documents in the trial when Maumela asked him to stop.

News24 reports that the judge explained that he first needed to hear fellow defence Advocate Zandile Mshololo's postponement application. But Teffo continued and often spoke over Maumela. He was adamant that he wanted to address the court before Mshololo.

Maumela again refused this and explained that there were procedures that had to be followed in court.

Later, Teffo attempted to raise the issues again but the judge stopped him.

‘I made a ruling that we are not going to debate what you are raising now,’ Maumela said, adding that Teffo needed only to say whether he objected to the admission of the letters as part of the court record.

Teffo then sarcastically commented that the court should write answers that he should repeat and Maumela ordered him to sit down.

On another occasion, Teffo butted heads with the court when he refused to listen to Maumela.

‘Unless you want to be in contempt of this court, I asked you a specific question. If you are not answering me on that, sit down,’ Maumela told him.

On Tuesday, Teffo accused the court of bias after Maumela stopped him from giving evidence from the Bar.

Teffo further criticised Mshololo and State Advocate George Baloyi, telling the court they were not learned.

Full News24 report