Johannesburg – ActionSA has placed its Tshwane ward candidate Malesela Teffo on precautionary suspension following his arrest, as an internal disciplinary process against him continues.
ActionSA Gauteng provincial chairperson Funzi Ngobeni announced the suspension on Thursday, saying the party’s disciplinary process had already been underway before Teffo was arrested on September 15.
BREAKING: TEFO ARRESTED
Disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo has been arrested.
A warrant was issued earlier for his arrest.
Tefo reportedly went to the Legal Practice Council to obtain a certificate of good standing.
LPC officials, however, alerted police, who arrived and… pic.twitter.com/YYaGjzv4E3
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) September 15, 2026
“ActionSA Gauteng has placed Mr Malesela Teffo on precautionary suspension with immediate effect,” Ngobeni said.
The internal process stems from concerns raised earlier this month after Teffo appeared at the Johannesburg High Court wearing ActionSA regalia. The party’s Tshwane structures subsequently asked him to account for his conduct.
According to Ngobeni, the party’s Provincial Ethics and Disciplinary Officer (PEDO) found a prima facie basis for the disciplinary process to continue.
Teffo’s arrest was then considered by ActionSA’s Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), which decided that his precautionary suspension was appropriate while the disciplinary process continues.
The suspension means Teffo may not participate in ActionSA campaign or party activities, represent or speak on behalf of the party, or present himself as acting for ActionSA.
NEWS: ActionSA in Gauteng has suspended Malesela Teffo. pic.twitter.com/EW5Wf6joee
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) September 17, 2026
Ngobeni stressed that the suspension should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt.
“The suspension is not a finding of guilt. Mr Teffo will have an opportunity to respond to the matters before PEDO, and the process must be allowed to run fairly,” he said.
Teffo was arrested on September 15 in connection with a contempt of court matter. He was subsequently expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
ActionSA said PEDO had been instructed to deal with the disciplinary matter urgently and report back to the PEC.
Ngobeni said the party expected its candidates and public representatives to account when serious concerns were raised about their conduct, but would not prejudge the outcome.
“At the same time, we will not replace a proper disciplinary process with a trial through the media,” he said.
Teffo remains an ActionSA ward candidate in Tshwane, but his suspension prevents him from participating in party activities while the internal process is underway.
ActionSA said it would provide further information once the disciplinary process reaches the appropriate stage.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
