Latest news with #RathaMokgoatlheng
eNCA
13 hours ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Judge Mokgoatlheng apologises for racist remarks
PRETORIA - The presiding judge in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial has apologised for his controversial remarks he made on Thursday. Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng suggested that black lawyers behave unprofessionally compared with their white colleagues. He was unhappy with Advocate Charles Mnisi's request for time off to run the Comrades Marathon. The murder trial resumed on Monday with new evidence. It related to photos allegedly retrieved from the phones of accused number 2, Bongani Ntanzi, and accused number 3 Mthobisi Mncube, during the re-examination of lead investigator Brigadier Gininda.
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Brakpan teen's family heartbroken
Here's your daily news update for Monday, 9 June 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In the news today, the family of a teenager who was hit by a 12-year-old on Saturday has shared their heartbreak. Meanwhile, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has apologised for his controversial racial remarks and says he is prepared to recuse himself from the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Furthermore, runner Moira Harding has been found after seemingly vanishing on Sunday, following the Comrades Marathon ultra-distance race. Weather tomorrow: 5 June 2025 Saws has forecast disruptive snowfall over parts of the Free State and the Eastern Cape; as well as wet conditions over all provinces except Limpopo and the North West. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. 'It won't bring Malcolm back': Family of teen killed by 12-year-old driver The family of a teenager who was hit by a 12-year-old on Saturday has shared their heartbreak. The 12-year-old was behind the wheel when he disobeyed a stop sign, hitting 14-year-old Malcolm Booyens and driving into a nearby fence in Brakpan, Gauteng. The pre-teen's vehicle turned over after the incident. Picture: X/@_ArriveAlive The 14-year-old's grandfather, André Booysens, said the family is still in shock and trying to make sense of the tragic event that claimed Malcolm's life. CONTINUE READING: 'It won't bring Malcolm back': Family of teen killed by 12-year-old driver Judge offers to recuse himself from Senzo Meyiwa murder trial after racial remarks Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has apologised for his controversial racial remarks and says he is prepared to recuse himself from the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. His apology follows widespread public backlash, including criticism from parliament. Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng during the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial at Pretoria High Court on 17 July 2024. Picture: Gallo Images/Phill Magako The controversy erupted after Mokgoatlheng harshly criticised Advocate Charles Mnisi, who had excused himself from Monday's session to participate in the Comrades Marathon in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). His remarks prompted calls for the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) to investigate his conduct. 'I have been 26 years on the bench, I have never ever behaved the way I did,' the judge said. CONTINUE READING: Judge offers to recuse himself from Senzo Meyiwa murder trial after racial remarks Missing Comrades runner found in Durban A missing woman has been found after seemingly vanishing on Sunday, following the Comrades Marathon ultra-distance race. Moira Harding, a runner from Cape Town, completed the 90km road running race in 10:52:03 on Sunday afternoon. Moira Harding went missing after finishing the Comrades Marathon on Sunday. Picture: Comrades Marathon Association/Facebook After reaching the finish in a delirious state, however, Harding had started walking through the streets of Durban and became lost. Comrades Marathon race director Alain Dalais said a search party had looked for her into the early hours of the morning, and she was eventually found more than 12 hours after she had finished the race. CONTINUE READING: Missing Comrades runner found in Durban Mashatile reveals he spent R2.3m on travel, food, and laundry for Japan trip Authorities have located a light aircraft that went missing in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Midlands. According to KZN MEC for transport and human settlements, Siboniso Duma, the aircraft carrying three people disappeared at approximately 3pm on Sunday. Picture: Supplied The Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) said that the aircraft departed from Virginia Airport on Sunday, 8 June, but failed to reach its alternate destination. It was last tracked flying over Ladysmith, heading south towards either Pietermaritzburg or Greytown. The MEC confirmed the aircraft had been located and all on board had died. CONTINUE READING: UPDATE: Tragic turn after missing aircraft disappears in KZN Midlands Winter wonderland: Snow expected in Gauteng next week We chat with Thatiso Dube, founder and creative director of Galxboy — a proudly South African streetwear brand inspired by Hip-Hop and local culture — about fashion, the story behind Galxboy, and how it all began. Thatiso, who also serves as Galxboy's creative director, says: 'In terms of the brand being a streetwear brand, we keep it street by being relevant in the streets, staying in the streets researching, and we get our trends from the streets.' Thatiso Dube is the founder of Galxboy, a South African streetwear brand rooted in Hip-Hop and local fashion. Picture: Carlos Muchave 'In order to be street, you need to stay in the streets' CONTINUE READING: VIDEO: Meet the founder of Galxboy Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Zille for Joburg mayor? | Comrades Marathon | Batohi clarifies NPA claims
News24
17 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
Senzo Meyiwa murder trial presiding judge issues an apology for racial remarks - ‘
Following an outburst at a lawyer's message in court that some perceived as racist, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has apologised publicly today on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the Pretoria High Court. When defense attorney, Adv. Charles Mnisi requested a Monday court leave to accommodate his Comrades Marathon travel schedule last week, Mokgoatlheng became enraged. 'I don't think a white advocate can have the gall to ask me that,' he said. Read more | Presiding judge at Senzo Meyiwa's murder trial causes uproar after racial remarks spark controversy Mnisi ran and completed the marathon on Sunday and did not appear in court but was replaced by Adv. Sipho Ramosepele. However, Judge Mokgoatlheng apologised in his absence saying, 'I have never behaved the way I did,' referring to his career of 26 years as a judge and 30 years as an attorney. He further claimed that the judge president together with the deputy judge president had chastised him. 'I agree, my conduct was questionable and incorrect.' Additionally, he revealed that his wife also reprimanded him and pushed for a public apology, claiming that his conduct was worse than that of lawyers charged with embezzling funds from Road Accident Funds (RAF) clients. 'She told me I should apologise to the whole of South Africa,' he stated. Read more | SAMA urges caution as flu cases surge and new COVID-19 variant emerges He also mentioned that his late son, who was an advocate who passed away from cancer wouldn't have been very happy with his behaviour. 'I apologise to the accused, the lawyers, the public, the judges, magistrates, students, religious leaders - to everyone in South Africa who felt hurt or insulted by my actions,' he added. Furthermore, in response to the accusations that he was racist, Mokgoatlheng stated that he believed this to be false and hurtful. He recounted his upbringing in a politically engaged family that frequently hosted dignitaries like Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela, and a number of well-known South Africans whom he said know him personally. 'If people say I'm a racist, maybe I'm not aware of that, but I apologise.' In closing, the judge also invited the accused who felt like they could not receive a fair trial from him to express his opinion. 'If you think I am not fit to be your judge, please tell me and I'll recuse myself.'
News24
21 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
Senzo Meyiwa trial judge apologises for racial remarks
On Monday, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng apologised for making controversial racial remarks which sparked public and political criticism during the Senzo Meyiwa trial. He admitted his conduct was unbecoming of his stature and expressed regret, reflecting on his remarks and addressing accusations of racism. Mokgoatlheng offered to recuse himself if anyone doubted his fairness, honour, or integrity as a judge. Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has publicly apologised for his controversial racial remarks he made during Thursday's session of the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. His comments came on the back of defence advocate Charles Mnisi's request to be excused from court on Monday because he was participating in the Comrades Marathon on Sunday and sparked widespread criticism. The judge said at the time: 'When the JP [Judge President] asks why you were not sitting on Monday, [we'll have to say] 'no, we were waiting for advocate Mnisi to drive back to Joburg because he was running a marathon'. This is South Africa run by blacks; I can tell you now ... a white advocate would never have the gall to ask me that. Never.' The remarks drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including political parties and legal commentators. In his apology, Mokgoatlheng said: 'I have been on the bench for 26 years as an acting judge and a judge. I have never ever behaved the way I did on Friday. Before becoming a judge, I spent 30 years as an attorney. I spoke to the Judge President and he, together with the Deputy Judge President, rightfully excoriated me for my conduct, saying it was not befitting of a judge of my experience and stature. I agree wholeheartedly. My conduct was questionable and incorrect.' On Thursday the GOOD Party strongly condemned Mokgoatlheng's comments, saying: 'It undermines the integrity of the judiciary and risks inflaming already fragile race relations in South Africa. Decorum in court is not just about the behaviour of lawyers and attendees; it begins with the conduct of the bench. Judges must embody the fairness and dignity they expect from others. These comments fall far short of that standard.' Despite the backlash, Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo had offered a different perspective, telling News24: 'I can see no misconduct by the judge in the circumstances of the case, as viewed by many.' In his apology, however, Mokgoatlheng added a personal dimension, revealing the impact these events had on his family and shedding light on his own personal reflections. 'My wife, who I thought was afraid of me, told me that I should apologise to the whole of South Africa because I am worse than the attorneys who are currently stealing money from clients in the Road Accident Fund (RAF) matter ... I wish to tender my sincerest apologies. It's contra my nature to act like that. I recently lost my son, who was an advocate — he died due to lymphatic cancer. I believe he would have been disappointed in my behaviour. That's why I wholeheartedly and unreservedly apologise to my colleagues here and to the gentlemen in front of me.' Mokgoatlheng also sought to address suggestions of racism on his part, saying: 'I have also been accused of being a racist. I want to share one or two things about me as a person, beyond being a lawyer. I grew up in the house of Moses Skotane. Nelson Mandela used to visit our home, as did Walter Sisulu — even Robert Sobukwe before he broke away from the ANC. My father was an active member of the ANC and the Communist Party. He would be mortified to hear me being labelled a racist. My great-grandmother was German. I recall she used to cut her hair short so that people wouldn't realise she had white blood. So I know everything about racism.' He concluded by offering to step down if anyone questioned his integrity. 'The gentlemen in front of me - if you believe that I, as a judge, am so useless, dumb, and incapable of giving you a fair trial, please tell me. I will recuse myself. I do not want to impose myself on individuals who doubt my integrity, honour, or dignity. If you truly believe I am racist, unfit for this role, and dismissive of the Constitution, just say it, and I will step away.' The case continues.
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Reprimanded Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng apologises for outburst
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has issued a public apology after a courtroom outburst at a lawyer which some deemed racist. Mokgoatlheng was furious last week when defence advocate Charles Mnisi asked to be excused from court on Monday to accommodate his travel plans for the Comrades Marathon. 'I don't think a white advocate can have the gall to ask me that,' the judge said. Mnisi, who ran and completed the ultra-marathon on Sunday, was absent from court on Monday. Attorney Sipho Ramosepele stood in for him. Addressing the court on Monday, a remorseful judge said he regretted his remarks. 'I have never behaved the way I did' in his 26 years as a judge and 30 years as an attorney. He said the judge president and deputy judge president had spoken to him and the JP had rightfully reprimanded him. 'I agree, my conduct was questionable and incorrect.' Mokgoatlheng also shared that his wife urged him to apologise publicly, saying his actions were worse than those of lawyers accused of stealing money from Road Accident Fund clients. 'She told me I should apologise to the whole of South Africa,' he said. He mentioned his late son, an advocate who died of cancer, saying his son would have been disappointed in his conduct. 'I apologise to the accused, the lawyers, the public, the judges, magistrates, students, religious leaders — to everyone in South Africa who felt hurt or insulted by my actions,' he said. Responding to claims that he was a racist, Mokgoatlheng said he found this to be hurtful and untrue. He spoke about his upbringing in a politically active household, where leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu would often visit. He also listed several respected South Africans who know him personally. 'If people say I'm a racist, maybe I'm not aware of that, but I apologise.' The judge invited the accused in court who believed they could not get a fair trial from him to say so. 'If you think I am not fit to be your judge, please tell me and I'll recuse myself.'
