Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, the presiding officer in the high-profile Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, has issued a heartfelt public apology after facing backlash for remarks perceived as racist toward Black lawyers.
During a session at the North Gauteng High Court, Judge Mokgoatlheng offered an emotional and unreserved apology, insisting that racism was contrary to his nature. He referenced personal tragedies and his family’s deep-rooted history in the anti-apartheid struggle to emphasize his commitment to equality.
A Personal and Political Defense
The judge became visibly emotional as he spoke about his late son, an advocate who passed away from lymphatic cancer. “He would have been disappointed at my conduct,” Mokgoatlheng said, adding that his son was born in 1968 and was older than one of the lawyers present.
He also invoked his family’s political legacy, recalling that his father was a member of the ANC and the Communist Party, and that leaders like Nelson Mandela and Robert Sobukwe had visited their home. “My father would be mortified to hear that I am a racist,” he said.
In an unexpected revelation, Mokgoatlheng shared that his great-grandmother was German, stating that she had proudly displayed her heritage by cutting her hair short to emphasize her mixed ancestry. “I know everything about racism,” he said.
A Lifetime in Activism
The judge further defended his character by detailing his involvement in student and political movements, including his role as a founding member of the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO) in 1968 and his work with the Black People’s Convention and AZAPO. He mentioned being mentored by prominent figures like Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and working alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa, whom he referred to as his junior in politics.
“If people say I’m a racist, maybe I’m not aware of it,” Mokgoatlheng said. “But if I trampled on anybody’s toes, I wish to apologize.”
Offering to Recuse Himself
In a striking moment, the judge offered to step down if the accused or legal teams believed they could not receive a fair trial due to his alleged bias. “If you think this judge is a racist, that he doesn’t care for the Constitution, please tell me, and I will recuse myself,” he said.
He extended his apology to the judiciary, including Chief Justices past and present, magistrates, prosecutors, law students, religious leaders, and “all South Africans who felt slighted” by his conduct.
Public and Political Reaction
The apology comes amid reported concerns from politicians, with Mokgoatlheng joking that some may want to “summon me to Parliament.” His wife had also urged him to apologize broadly, including to “undocumented foreigners.”
As the Senzo Meyiwa trial continues, all eyes remain on whether this apology will quell the controversy or if further scrutiny will follow.