Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, who is currently overseeing matters with the high-profile Senzo Meyiwa trial, has sparked controversy for his angry rant after discovering Advocate Charles Mnisi is set to miss Monday’s proceedings due to participating in the comrades marathon.
Those who have followed Judge Ratha’s career over the years are aware that this is not the first time the seasoned judge has made headlines for making racially charged statements.
In March 2024, he garnered some backlash after saying, “Are ethics still taught at universities or when doing pupillage or articles? He doesn’t phone the court. This is Africa. The judge is irrelevant,” when defence lawyer Thulani Mngomezulu failed to appear in court.
As a result of this incident, the judge withdrew his unsavoury uttering and issued a public apology. “The presiding judge in the Senzo Meyiwa trial has withdrawn the comments that he made about black lawyers,” Eyewitness News reported.
Fast forwarding to present day, the judge’s lack of a filter has landed him in hot water, not only with members of the public, but some notable organisations such as the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) and which have condemned him for what they believe are racially charged statements towards black lawyers. According to this unhappy crowd,
” It is a very unfortunate statement made by a presiding officer who has taken an oath to defend and protect the rule of law and democracy. It is very saddening that almost 11 months ago, we were addressing the very same issue of these disparaging remarks that are made by a judge presiding in this matter,” the President of LSSA, Nkosana Mvundlela, tells IOL.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has displayed the most despicable hate for Adv.Mnisi, black lawyers and black leadership in general. He even forgets that he is also a black person. His conduct should be investigated by the JSC. We can’t have this kind of a judge in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/5CCWoSObX7
— 💜Mao jnr🇿🇦 (@Remiazania2) June 6, 2025
Although some users have acknowledged some of the judge’s concerns, as they agree that the case has seen way too many delays in a family and the rest of the county seeing justice served for one of the greatest goalkeepers the country has seen, they condemn the judge’s racist remarks, labelling them as unacceptable.
I do agree it is ridiculous and agree with the judge on that point. HOWEVER, why do South Africans always have to drag race into everything… stop stereotyping!! It is annoying as hell!! And mostly, you have no way of proving what you are saying is true as you cannot judge an…
— Genie Els (@eels23) June 6, 2025
100% Mnisi is a joke yoh. I stand with the judge. He is telling the truth. We must call each other out as Black people. The request was an insult https://t.co/PKIMKDA61j
— Salt & Pepper😊🇿🇦 (@D_Bhekza) June 6, 2025
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