'She seeks to obstruct justice': Why Tiffany Meek was denied bail in her son Jayden-Lee's murder case

The Roodepoort Regional Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday highlighted that Tiffany Nicole Meek, the mother of murdered 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, has the potential to obstruct justice or evade trial if she is released on bail.

The 31-year-old mother, who was weeping throughout the bail ruling on Tuesday, is accused of killing her child.

In denying Tiffany's spirited bail bid, Magistrate Annelin Africa narrated that during the bail application, Tiffany had gone out of her way to try and mislead the court, seeking to paint a picture where other people are blamed for the murder of the child.

"Misleading the court has the consequence that an environment is created where it is difficult to trust the information presented. The applicant has shown that she has the ability to defeat or obstruct the administration of justice by causing other persons to be suspected, and attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice by placing Jayden's body outside her unit, or stairs, to create the conclusion that the child was harmed elsewhere," said the magistrate.

"These inferences are consistent with the proved facts, and exclude every other reasonable inference except the ones sought to be drawn. If applicant (Tiffany) has the ability to deceive without hesitation, then surely the applicant has the ability to influence witnesses, especially her family. She will, likewise, have the ability to undermine or jeopardize the objectives of the proper functioning of the criminal justice system."

The court also highlighted that releasing Tiffany has the likelihood of undermining the public peace, if the online petition demanding her detention is anything to go by. 

"All the aforementioned can incentivise the applicant to evade the trial, especially in the absence of a fixed address within the borders of this province. The applicant failed to satisfy this court that she discharged the onus in proving, on a balance of probabilities, that the interest of justice permits her release from detention," said Africa.

"Bail is accordingly refused for the applicant."

The matter was immediately transferred to another courtroom "for further dealings". Tiffany quickly stood up and walked down towards the holding cells, mourning uncontrollably. 

Earlier on Tuesday, IOL reported that minutes into the bail ruling, the magistrate announced that there had been an electric fault, and she momentarily adjourned court. 

On Monday, IOL reported that the 31-year-old mother accused of the murder of her son appeared in court, where the matter was postponed to Tuesday for the final bail judgment.

Tiffany's defence lawyer, Noven Naidoo, has argued strongly for the release of his client on bail, insisting that she is not a flight risk. On the other hand, community members have been protesting outside the court, demanding that her bail bid be denied.

Tiffany has previously requested that she be granted R5,000 bail as she believes she is innocent and is being framed for the gruesome May 13 murder. Her lawyer has argued that no evidence has been presented to the court suggesting that his client could be a flight risk.

Tiffany is facing multiple charges, including murder, crimen injuria, defeating the ends of justice, and attempting to obstruct justice.

Jayden-Lee’s body was found on May 14 on the staircase of their flat at the Swazi’s Place complex in Fleurhof, southwest Johannesburg, after the Grade 6 learner was reported missing the day before.

On Monday, Naidoo argued that her client is innocent, and everybody wants justice for Jayden-Lee.

"The learned magistrate, in her wisdom, should realise that with all the public outcry, there is no evidence that Mr Mnisi was harmed by the public. While the public is indeed angry with the applicant, why would they resort to murder? Kill the applicant and risk being also charged with murder. Everybody wants justice for Jayden-Lee, but that can only be achieved through a proper investigation and with the trial court making a determination on the matter.

"In conclusion, there is no evidence before this court to even suggest that the applicant is a flight risk. In the absence of such evidence, it is submitted that the accused be released on bail as the accused has discharged the onus as a suitable candidate for bail," Naidoo stated.

On Monday, the State prosecutor argued that Meek does not have a reliable address as she intends to relocate to another province, which will make things difficult for the State to take control of the case.

"If the applicant is released and goes to stay with her father, she will not have a stable address. Two, your worship, it is evident that the accused will continue to be employed, and she is not required to be in the office. She can work remotely. That means she can work from anywhere, and she will continue to have financial resources.

"What I mean is that the applicant could be a flight risk. She is in another province. So we are asking someone somewhere in another police station who has no interest in this matter to keep tabs on her," the State prosecutor told the court.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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