Judge Mokgoatlheng’s gaffe sparks fury

The judicial transparency group, Judges Matter, says while it understands the frustration of the presiding judge in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial due to delays in proceedings, his race-based comments are unacceptable.

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng is under fire for lambasting defense advocate, Charles Mnisi, for writing to the court registrar asking her to inform him that he won’t be available in court on Monday as he will be driving back to Gauteng after partaking in the Comrades Marathon on Sunday.

After reading the message in court, the judge slammed Mnisi’s request, saying it was a classic example of the lack of professionalism among black lawyers.

The atmosphere grew tense in the courtroom when Judge Mokgoatlheng asked the opinion of other advocates on the matter.

The furious judge even dismissed attorney, Sipho Ramosepele, and state prosecutor, George Baloyi’s attempts to defend the legal representative of accused 1 and three.

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng furious after Advocate Charles Mnisi requests to be excused from court on Monday, to participate in the Comrades Marathon during the Senzo Meyiwa trial. pic.twitter.com/6a60YwQsxh

— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) June 5, 2025

Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter, Mbekezeli Benjamin, says judge Mokgoatlheng’s conduct is unacceptable.

This is not the first time the judicial officer has received flak for his conduct.

Last year, he was forced to apologise after remarking about the punctuality of black lawyers.

Many South Africans have also condemned the judge for his derogatory comments, saying he is feeding into the narrative that black people are mediocre.

Patricia De Lille’s Good Party wants the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to zoom into the judge’s conduct.

Echoing Judges Matter’s sentiments, the political party says: “While the judge’s frustration over delays in this long running and emotionally charged trial may be understandable, resorting to racially divisive language is entirely unacceptable.”

Herron_DECORUM_IN_COURT_-_SENZO_MEYIWA_JUDGE_OFFSIDES[1]

JUSTICE COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON CONCERNED ABOUT “UNFORTUNATE” UTTERANCES BY JUDGE IN SENZO MEYIWA TRIAL https://t.co/hVW3SUYKc4 @ParliamentofRSA @HealthSocClust @Xola_Nqola @DOJCD_ZA @GovernanceClus1 @DefenceCluster @EconoCluster @FinanceCluster

— Justice-and-security-Cluster (@JustSecuCluster) June 5, 2025

@NPA_Prosecutes Why can’t you drop Senzo Meyiwa’s trial. You know the person who killed Senzo. We are tired of your circuses. Even the judge’s hair has now grown.

— N Mabaso (@Nickofentse2) June 4, 2025

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng telling us that white lawyers wouldn’t ask for a day to travel back from running the Conrades 😂.

We’ve had to set an individual test paper for one white student because their cat was sick or dead dog!

Mnisi’s request is reasonable.

— Pule (@Pule_EM) June 5, 2025

We need to urgently revisit cases involving Black litigants where Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng presided — especially those from his “favourite apartheid period” that he openly praises. His recent comments reflect deep-seated bias.#SenzoMeyiwaTrial #JudicialConduct

— Answering Bigots Decisively, tread carefully! (@GeniusPhilos) June 5, 2025