Meyiwa trial judge fumes as lawyer skips court for Comrades run

THE presiding judge in the murder trial of former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa ran out of patience when he learnt that an advocate representing one of the accused in the matter won't attend court on Monday because he was running in Sunday’s Comrades Marathon.

- HOPE NTANZI

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng was mindful that Meyiwa was killed in 2014 and his family were waiting for justice to be served and similarly, the accused have been held in custody for three years.

Therefore, he baulked at learning that Advocate Charles Mnisi requested to be excused from proceedings because of the race.

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

“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 expects me to be in court,” said Judge Mokgoatlheng.