‘Jayden-Lee was failed by his mother,’ laments activist

The Fleurhof community in Randburg, Johannesburg, is in shock and disbelief after Jayden-Lee Meek’s mother made her first appearance in court on Monday for the 11-year-old’s murder.

Tiffany Meek (31) was arrested last week. She wept uncontrollably in the dock as the gravity of her actions weighed on her.

Meek made a brief appearance in the Roodepoort Magistrates Court, where her case was postponed to July 18 to allow her time to secure legal representation.

She faces a string of serious charges, including murder, defeating the ends of justice, crimen injuria, and attempting to obstruct the administration of justice.

Outside court, angry Fleurhof residents gathered, demanding justice for Jayden-Lee and accusing the police of dragging their feet in the investigation.

Deputy Police Minister, Dr Polly Boshielo, defended the pace of the investigation, saying it was important for police to build a watertight case.

She promised continued oversight until justice is served, but not everyone is convinced.

ActionSA Member of Parliament (MP) and social activist, Dereleen James, criticised law enforcement’s response as “too little, too late”, saying authorities should have acted faster.

While she believes that swift action could have spared the young boy’s life, she urged the community to also reflect on how such a tragedy could unfold in their midst without intervention.

The 11-year-old was reported missing on May 12 and was found the next morning — unconscious, half-naked, and severely bruised on a staircase near his home.

Meek was rushed to hospital but declared dead on arrival. His body was clean and showed no signs of bleeding, but bore visible abrasions — sparking immediate suspicions of foul play.

Deputy National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, criticised Meek for only reporting her son missing, hours after he failed to return home, saying her delay compromised the early stages of the investigation.

She urged caregivers who could be struggling, to seek help instead of resorting to violence, especially against children.

 

Deputy Police Minister, Dr Polly Boshielo, also weighed in, saying they aren’t ruling out more arrests in the case.

She alleged that Meek deceived both the community and Parliament, even approaching the police portfolio committee under false pretenses.

Jayden-Lee’s death has sparked renewed calls for accountability in child protection cases, as well as a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding his final moments.

Speaking to YNews, one of the disgruntled residents, Reona Coetzee, said Tiffany Meek hurt the community with her actions.

The 31-year-old remains in custody until her next court appearance. Written by Lebohang Ndashe