Murder accused mother Tiffany Meeks pleads not guilty on all charges

Murder accused mother Tiffany Nicole Meek has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her son, Jayden Lee Meek

Meek was back on the stand for the continuation of her case at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court

She is linked to the death of her 11-year-old son Jayden Lee Meek, who was found a few meters away from the door of the Fleurhof apartment they lived in.

The discovery followed Meek’s report of her son going missing after failing to return home from school in May.

During the Wednesday proceedings, more of Meek’s family was gathered in support of the accused mother.

Even some of the Fleurhof community members were seen.

In the dock, Meek heard of the charges laid against her as she emotionally submitted her plea.

She has pleaded not guilty on all counts laid against her, which are: defeating the ends of justice, crimen injuria, murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The prosecutor explained the charges to the court.

“In that, on or about the 13th of May 2025, at the Florida police station in Roodepoort in the district of Johannesburg West, the accused unlawfully and intentionally made a false report to the Florida police.”

Meek’s legal team explained that due to the breakdown of negotiations between themselves and the state, a plea bargain was abandoned.

“And now all that's happened today, the charges were put to the accused, Miss Meek, and we are happy with the not guilty plea. And we've always been ready for a trial, and now we proceed there,” explained legal representative Lyle Wyngaard.

The court urged Meek to be active in her trial so that she could be awarded the opportunity to inform the court of any of her concerns.

“The court will then give you the opportunity, you can make your notes, you can do whatever you want. Once your counsel is finished with your cross-examination, the court will grant you the opportunity to consult with your counsel and to draw his attention to any other aspects that you would like to ventilate in that case. Essentially, what the court is inviting you to do is that throughout this entire trial, you must please ensure that you take an active role and an active mind.”

This case, which is a High Court matter sitting at the magistrate's court, will continue on 22 April for the drafting of formal admissions.

The state is expected to present its witnesses at the next sitting.