Fury in the courtroom! Judge explodes over Marathon excuse — sparks race row in Meyiwa trial

Mokgoatlheng

Cape Town – Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng is facing widespread condemnation after making racially charged remarks during the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.

Mokgoatlheng reacted angrily in court on Thursday after discovering that defence advocate Charles Mnisi had informed the registrar of his intention to miss Monday’s session to take part in the Comrades Marathon.

Clearly frustrated, the judge stressed that a high-profile case like the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial should not be overshadowed by personal commitments.

He also criticised what he viewed as a lack of professionalism and courtroom decorum among the defence attorneys representing the five accused.

“This is what happens in a South Africa run by blacks. I can tell you now, even if you call Uncle Tom, I don’t think a white advocate will ever have the gall to ask me that. Never,” said Mokgoatlheng.

“I’m not going to respond. If Mr Mnisi doesn’t want to come to court on Monday, that’s his business. I will be in court and the JP (judge president) expects me to be in court,” said Mokgoatlheng.


“Can’t tell the JP somebody’s going to run the marathon. So, the case should stop. Everybody should watch the marathon, I suppose.”

He mentioned several judges who are also athletes, such as Judge Boissie Mbha and Constitutional Court Judge Rammaka Mathopo, emphasising that they have never allowed their athletic pursuits to interfere with their duties on the bench.

Mokgoatlheng’s comments drew sharp criticism from Parliament’s justice committee chair Xola Nqola, who labelled them “totally unacceptable” and called for the judge to withdraw them and apologise.

“We want to strongly condemn these totally unacceptable utterances. The incompetence or behaviour of legal practitioners has nothing to do with race, as he has alluded to in court. The remarks are extremely unfortunately and a gross generalisation,” Nqola said.

He added: “Whilst we understand the frustration of the judge, families and accused with the duration of the trail, it is totally unacceptable to imply black legal professionals act unprofessionally compared to their white counterparts. We urge him to refrain from such gross generalisations.

“Furthermore, we demand that Judge Mokgoatlheng withdraws his comments and apologise to the nation.”

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) also condemned the remarks as racially biased and unethical, pointing out that the attorney in question had followed proper court procedures.

Legal bodies, political parties, and civil society organisations, including the Pan-African Bar Association and the Good party, are calling for formal action through the Judicial Services Commission (JSC).

LSSA president Nkosana Mvundlela warned that such remarks damage public trust in the justice system and urged judicial officers to uphold fairness and integrity

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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