Gauteng mother Tiffany Meek, charged with the murder of her son, is expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. 

Meek, 31, from Fleurhof, is accused of murdering her son, 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek. 

Jayden-Lee was reported missing on May 13, 2025, after he failed to return home after school.

His lifeless, half-naked body was found 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. 

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.

Meek’s arrest caused anger within her community, which had joined the search for the missing boy.

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 matter is expected to move to pre-trial. 

*This article was first published by IOL News