Backlash over judge's 'racial' outburst in court

THE LAW Society of South Africa is taking on presiding judge in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Ratha Mokgoatlheng, following his court outburst where he made several remarks with racial undertones.

- JONISAYI MAROMO

Mokgoatlheng on Thursday expressed outrage in court after learning that defence advocate Charles Mnisi had written to his registrar, requested to be excused from proceedings tomorrow, to recover from the Comrades Marathon he is participating in today.

The judge, visibly furious, made it clear that the seriousness of the Meyiwa murder trial could not be sidelined for personal activities.

The judge also raised the issue of decorum among the defence lawyers representing the five men accused of killing Meyiwa.

Mokgoatlheng made the comment after advocate Charles Mnisi requested to be excused from proceedings on Monday to participate in the Comrades Marathon.

"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.

“I 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 referenced several other judges who are athletes, including Judge Boissie Mbha and Constitutional Court Judge Rammaka Mathopo, pointing out that none of them have ever let athletic commitments interfere with their judicial responsibilities.