Tiffany Nicole Meek, the mother of 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek, has made her first appearance in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court, in connection with her son’s tragic murder.
Meek’s arrest followed an extensive investigation led by Florida detectives, culminating in her apprehension in Fleurhof, where Jayden-Lee was last seen alive.
Jayden-Lee was reported missing by his mother on May 12, after he failed to return home from school, where he had been dropped off by his scholar transport. The following morning, he was discovered half-naked and unconscious on the staircase of their apartment complex.
Outside the court premises, scores of residents gathered, demanding justice for the young boy, with many expressing their anger and disappointment over the alleged role his mother played in this horrific incident.
The matter has been postponed to July 18 for Meek’s bail application, as she faces charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice and crimen injuria.
Deputy Police Minister Polly Bosheilo was among the officials addressing the media, stating, “The investigating and tracking team has been hard at work and following all possible leads. And gathering all that may have led to the killing of Jayden. Our investigation team was working closely with the NPA on this case where evidence gathered was presented and a warrant of arrest was issued and executed on Friday. It is rather very, very unfortunate that Jayden was killed and found in the very space where he should have been safe and secure, his residential complex. This was not an easy case. We received a lot of backlash on our response and the time it took to get a breakthrough, but I must say this type of case necessitates that our detectives conduct a thorough investigation.”
Bosheilo acknowledged the pressure faced by the investigation team, especially given the backlash over the time it took to achieve a breakthrough, but stressed the importance of a thorough investigation in such a sensitive case.
Among those present at the court was Dereleen James, a member of ActionSA, who has been vocal on social media about the injustice faced by the community.
She expressed disappointment over the situation and issued a statement welcoming the arrest, calling it a crucial step toward justice for Jayden-Lee and the broader community.
“While no arrest can undo the pain of his loss, it marks a vital step towards justice for his family. For too long, the people of Florida have suffered from an under-resourced police station and an uncoordinated response to violent crime. ActionSA has consistently raised this issue in Parliament, demanding accountability for policing failures that have allowed crimes like this to persist,” said James.
“Justice for Jayden-Lee is justice for every child in South Africa who deserves to live free from violence and fear. There can be no more excuses.”
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star