The new judge in the Meyiwa trial: Ratha Mokgoatlheng
Ratha Mokgoatlheng has been appointed as the new Presiding Judge in the murder trial of former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa. This comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa issued the letters of suspension to Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela and Judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi on Tuesday, 28 June for failing to deliver judgements timeously. The JSC is in the […]
Ratha Mokgoatlheng has been appointed as the new Presiding Judge in the murder trial of former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa.
This comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa issued the letters of suspension to Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela and Judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi on Tuesday, 28 June for failing to deliver judgements timeously. The JSC is in the process of appointing a tribunal for each one of the judges.
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HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT JUDGE RATHA MOKGOATLHENG
As previously reported by The South African, The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial was postponed on 12 June as Maumela was sick and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that he will not be available for a long time.
Gauteng Deputy Judge President, Aubrey Ledwaba said Maumela will not be available for a long time due to health reasons but the matter needs to proceed.
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa suspends Judge Maumela – What does this mean for the Meyiwa trial?
Now that Mokoatlheng has been appointed as the new Presiding Judge, we did some digging and here’s what we know about him:
- Judge Mokoatlheng used to play for Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs in the 1960s and played wearing spectacles.
- He was reportedly expelled from Orlando Pirates FC for defying the team management’s orders and is one of the founding fathers of Kaizer Chiefs.
- He was inspired by the late Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo to study Law at the University of Fort Hare.
- He was appointed as a judge in May 2007.
- He presided over the infamous Jeppestown massacre trial. According to SowetanLive, the defence in the matter wanted him to recuse himself claiming that he was biased when he reportedly joked about an accused who finally was pronounced well enough to stand trial. He was also accused of helping witnesses, intervening in cross-examination, misinterpreting submissions by defence counsel and breaking court procedure.
- Mokgoatlheng also jailed former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli.
The trial is expected to resume on 17 July and is likely run the whole third term (up to 15 September).