Investigating officer outlines reasons against bail for Tiffany Meek
The court papers have revealed that 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, died after being hit with an "unknown" hard object to the head allegedly by his mother, Tiffany Nicole Dunn Meek.
Image: Timothy Bernard/ Independent Newspapers
The investigating officer in the Jayden-Lee Meek case has strongly urged the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court not to grant bail to murder accused Tiffany Meek.
Testifying on the second day in the witness box, the police sergeant expressed concerns that Meek could evade trial if released.
He further highlighted the potential danger she may face due to the significant public outcry surrounding the case, as the State formally opposes her bail application.
“People do not feel safe given the circumstances of the case. If the public sees her outside… I mean, we see communities taking the law into their own hands as they see the State and judiciary failing them. Her release will disturb public peace,” the court heard.
Earlier, Meek had urged the court to grant her bail and gave her father’s address in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), where she could stay until her trial commences.
However, the investigating officer stated this would be wrong to place the burden on KZN police to monitor Meek and do the job the police based in Gauteng are already tasked to do.
Magistrate Annelin Africa also highlighted that the State’s stance (of not wanting Meek released on bail, even if it is KZN) is practical because when consecutive days of court take place, she [Meek] cannot go back to Durban daily.
When asked if he had anything to add as to why Meek should not be granted bail, the officer said: “The community at times loses hope in the justice system. I hope the court considers the community of South Africa at large. They are so concerned about what happened to the child. I humbly request the court to consider that if it grants bail, the community of South Africa may lose trust in the justice system.”
When asked if he thought the community wanted to harm Meek.
“The community is angry. She was the one directing them. The community feels like she misled them, and on top of that is the anger of the murdered child,” he responded.
The matter has been postponed until Wednesday.
Cape Argus