Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo says he has found a new political home in ActionSA.
DISBARRED advocate Malesela Teffo says he’s found a new political home in ActionSA.
This after a turbulent political journey that saw him leave the PAC, the EFF and the MK party.
Teffo, who became a household name during the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, confirmed he recently joined ActionSA, describing it as one that “opposes President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC” while still putting South Africans first.
Speaking about his political journey, Teffo said he grew up in a PAC-supporting family but became disillusioned with the party’s current leadership.
“Originally at my home, we’re PAC, and I personally left it because the new leadership sold their souls to the GNU,” he said.
Teffo later joined the EFF but said his relationship with the party soured after EFF leader Julius Malema allegedly made remarks about him relating to the Senzo Meyiwa case.
“I left after Malema uttered the nonsensical and reckless statement about me in relation to the Senzo Meyiwa case,” he said.
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Teffo said he then joined the MK party while he was in jail, hoping he would receive support amid what he described as “harassment” from the ANC and the DA.
“I joined the MK party while I was in jail, thinking I’d be helped as the ANC and the DA were harassing me and no protection came from them.”
The former advocate said he was persuaded to join ActionSA by someone he had known for a long time and believes he made the right choice.
“I’m convinced I didn’t join the wrong party and the determination of ActionSA president Herman Mashaba is there for anyone to see,” he said.
Teffo praised Mashaba’s leadership and said his decision was influenced by the party’s stance against the ANC-led government.
“I wanted to join a political party that hates Ramaphosa and ANC but loves the people of the Republic of South Africa. Mr Mashaba loves this country and her people,” he said.
Despite his high-profile public image, Teffo said he joined ActionSA as an ordinary member and isn’t expecting special treatment.
“I’ve joined the party like any other ordinary citizen of the Republic of South Africa. I don’t expect to be treated specially,” he said.
However, he indicated that he’d consider taking on a leadership role if approached by the party.
“If the leadership of ActionSA sees potential in me and considers offering me a role to play in the growth of the party, I’ll consider the offer,” said Teffo.
He also dismissed suggestions that his ongoing legal matters could become a burden for the party.
“I don’t believe I have legal battles with anyone else, but the legal battles I was involved with were a worthy cause to fight for the human rights of the downtrodden,” he said.
The former advocate said he remains passionate about legal activism and would welcome an opportunity to assist poor South Africans through the party.
“I’ll appreciate it if ActionSA gaves me cases of the poorest of the poor to represent them and those who appear before the Madlanga Commission.”
Reflecting on his legal career, Teffo said politics was never his primary ambition.
He pointed to his Constitutional Court victory in the labour case of GJ Baloyi v MEC for Welfare and Social Development in Limpopo, which resulted in his client being reinstated after a decade-long battle.
“Politics was never a priority in my career or life,” he said.