Tiffany Nicole Meek, a Gauteng mother accused of killing her 11-year-old son Jayden-Lee Meek, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
Meek, 32, entered her plea on Wednesday after making a brief appearance in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge.
Jayden-Lee was reported missing on May 13, 2025, after not returning home from school.
His lifeless body was found half-naked on May 14, 2025, near the staircase in the Swazi Place complex just metres from the front door of his home.
Meek was arrested on July 11, 2025, and has been in custody since following a failed bail application.
In addition to murder, Meek also faces charges of crimen injuria, attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice, and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice.
The state withdrew the charge of child abuse due to the lack of evidence.
During her bail application, Meek pleaded with the court to grant her bail as she is the sole breadwinner of her family. She said she could afford R5,000 bail.
Magistrate Annelin Africa denied Meek bail on July 29.
Despite the allegations she faces, Meek also has significant support from many who believe she is innocent.
In September last year, an online petition was started calling for bail for Meek, demanding that she receive fair treatment and be declared innocent until proven guilty.
According to the petition, Magistrate Africa “denied her [Meek] bail in a manner that went beyond legal requirements, relying on untested allegations and casting doubt on her innocence before trial had even begun. Numerous discrepancies and inconsistencies in the investigation raise serious questions about Tiffany’s involvement in the tragic events surrounding her son’s death.”
It further stated Meek’s detention was ‘unnecessary’ while coping with the loss of her son.
It remains unclear who started the online petition.
The case will return to court April 22, 2026.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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