The presiding officer in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Ratha Mokgoatlheng, has apologised for the racist remarks he made during the trial last week.
The remarks were made during the heated argument when the legal representative Charles Mnisi, requested for the proceedings to be postponed on Monday, as he’ll be travelling back from the Comrades Marathon from Durban. The judge didn’t take lightly to the request by Mnisi.
“This is what happens in 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,” exclaimed Mokgoatlheng.
Mnisi, who completed the Marathon on Sunday, was absent from court on Monday.
The judge’s comments drew the fury of many, including the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Black Lawyers Association, and some political parties amongst others.
Mokgoatlheng has since apologised for his unbecoming remarks.
“I have never ever behaved the way I did on Thursday. I have been 30 years as an attorney before I became a judge, 30 years I was an attorney. I spoke to the Judge President and the Judge President spoke to me together with the Deputy Judge President. The Judge President rightfully excoriated me for my conduct, that it is not befitting of a judge of my experience and my stature that I should have behaved like I did. And I agree, I agree, my conduct was questionable and incorrect,” said Mokgoatlheng, who was addressing the people in court.
In addition, he said he was also rebuked by his wife, whom he thought was afraid to confront him in the past.
My wife also, who I thought is afraid of me, told me that I should apologise to the whole of South Africa because I am worse than the attorneys who apparently steal the monies of clients in the Road Accident Fund (RAF) matter.
She was reading the newspaper the other day about the fact that attorneys apparently and they are colourless, stole about R1.5 billion of RAF funds which belong to clients.
I wish now to tender my sincerest apologies, it’s contrary to my nature to do that,” pleaded Mokgoatlheng.
Mokgoatlheng highlighted that even his late son, will be disappointed with his remarks.
“I have a son who died recently, who is an advocate. He died because of lymphatic cancer. I think he also would have been disappointed at my conduct. That is why I say I heartily and unreservedly, with no qualification, apologise to my colleagues here, to the accused, gentlemen in front of me,” remarked the judge.
Mokgoatlheng dismissed insanitation that he is a racist, adding that his family has links to some of the struggle leaders.
“And I have also been accused of being a racist. I want to just talk one or two things about me as a person without being a lawyer. I grew up in the house of Moses Kotane. Nelson Mandela used to come at home, Walter Sisulu, even Robert Sobukwe before he broke away from the African National Congress (ANC). My father was involved as a member of the ANC and the Communist Party. He would be mortified to hear that I am a racist,” explained the judge.
