Judge in Senzo Meyiwa matter reprimands advocate for prioritising Comrades run over murder trial
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has condemned Advocate Mnisi's request to miss court for the upcoming Comrades Marathon, calling it unprofessional and disrespectful amid long delays in the high-profile Senzo Meyiwa murder trial.
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.
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.
"(I) Can't tell the JP (judge president) 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.
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