Latest news with #RathaMokgoatlheng
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Senzo trial: How Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng founded Kaizer Chiefs before presiding over courtrooms
Before he wore the robe, the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial judge was a leader on the soccer pitch. Now presiding over the high-profile Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng might appear stern and unflinching, but behind that piercing gaze is the soul of a football genius once known simply as 'Ace'. The judge who once ruled the pitch From scoring goals for Orlando Pirates to co-founding Kaizer Chiefs, the man now delivering justice once delivered pinpoint passes. And in his case, the court and the soccer pitch are more alike than you'd think. Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng is no ordinary judge. While many in court see a seasoned jurist with decades of legal gravitas, football purists know him as 'Ace', the visionary midfielder whose name once echoed in packed stadiums across South Africa. Judge 'Ace' Mokgoatlheng. Picture: supplied In the swinging '70s, Mokgoatlheng was regarded as one of the brightest talents in South African football. Described by fellow players as a soft-spoken and shy figure off the field, he transformed into a maestro on it. A bone of contention He launched his career in 1969 with Orlando Pirates, but soon faced expulsion alongside Edward 'Msomi' Khoza and Thomas 'Zero My Hero' Johnson after choosing to disregard management's instructions not to compete in a match for a local club in Gaborone. This decision would prove momentous in defining their paths. Mokgoatlheng's style was defined by an almost supernatural sense of timing, vision and control. 'He could see plays two moves ahead,' said a former teammate. 'He was jazz in motion.' ALSO READ: 'Bucket list checked': Zakes Bantwini graduates from Harvard From Orlando Pirates to founding Kaizer Chiefs Kaizer Chiefs was officially established in January 1970. Ratha Mokgoatlheng is on the far right in the bottom row… with his trademark spectacles. Photo: Before the legal books, there was the beautiful game. Mokgoatlheng began his football journey at Orlando Pirates, one of the country's most storied teams. But it was his role in co-founding Kaizer Chiefs alongside Kaizer Motaung in January 1970 that etched his name into South African soccer history. While others chased goals, Mokgoatlheng juggled court dates and corner kicks. Remarkably, he played for Kaizer Chiefs while studying law at the University of Fort Hare. By the time he was admitted as an attorney in 1976, he'd already earned legendary status on the field. Brains, boots and the law Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng during the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial at Pretoria High Court on 17 July 2024. Picture: Gallo Images/Phill Magako Many of his contemporaries recall how he was never one to brag or seek the limelight. 'Ace was quiet, even introverted,' recalled one former coach. 'But once he had the ball, he spoke with his feet.' Even after hanging up his boots, his connection to the game endured. He's participated in historical panels and debates on South Africa's football greats and remains respected for his insights on the evolution of the sport. It's no surprise some football historians rate him in the same breath as Steve 'Kalamazoo' Mokone, the first South African to play professional football in Europe. ALSO READ: Homage to Queen Nandi: Nomzamo Mbatha reveals secrets behind her regal Shaka iLembe gown After practising law for over 30 years, Mokgoatlheng was appointed as an acting judge in 2002 and eventually rose to the full-time bench. Over the years, he's quietly built a reputation for fairness, sharp logic and courtroom control. He's presided over several notable cases, including the conviction of former spy boss Richard Mdluli and the recognition of Lerato Sengadi as the customary wife of late rapper HHP. But it's his current role presiding over the emotionally charged Senzo Meyiwa murder trial that has placed him under the national microscope. Watching him steer a courtroom filled with tension and drama, one could say: once a midfield general, always a general. Legacy on both fields Judge Ratha 'Ace' Mokgoatlheng's story is not just one of transformation; it's a tale of dual mastery. Few can say they've stood at the heart of South African football history and then gone on to shape its legal system. Whether it was threading the perfect pass or parsing a complex legal argument, Ace always had an eye for strategy. And now, with the nation watching, it's clear: he's still playing for high stakes, only this time, the pitch is the courtroom.
The South African
10-06-2025
- The South African
Advocate completes Comrades Marathon as Senzo Meyiwa judge says sorry
Senzo Meyiwa trial lawyer Advocate Charles Mnisi crossed the finish line at the Comrades Marathon on Sunday, 8 June. This comes after his leave to attend the ultramarathon was berated by Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng in court last week. He has since publicly apologised. The murder trial for the late soccer player continues in the Pretoria High Court. On social media, South Africans posted clips of Advocate Charles Mnisi running en route in the Comrades Marathon. This included moments when he stopped to greet the public and even screenshots of him on television. According to his marathon bib, Mnisi finished the 90km race in 10 hours and 42 minutes. Last week, Advocate Mnisi's request for leave for Monday, 9 June – the day he would be travelling back from the Comrades Marathon – was harshly condemned by Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng. 'I don't think a white advocate can have the gall to ask me that', the judge said. He was later accused of racial profiling the legal professional. On Monday, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng publicly apologised to Advocate Mnisi in his absence for his condescending comments about the Comrades Marathon. After being reprimanded by the judge president, he told the Pretoria High Court: 'I have never behaved the way I did…I agree, my conduct was questionable and incorrect.' Mokgoatlheng continued: 'I apologise to the accused, the lawyers, the public, the judges, magistrates, students, religious leaders – to everyone in SA who felt hurt or insulted by my actions.' However, the judge stopped short of apologising over claims that his comments were racially driven. He added: 'If people say I'm a racist, maybe I'm not aware of that, but I apologise.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Black Lawyers Association demands more than an apology from Judge Mokgoatlheng
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has apologised over racially charged comments he made when one of the advocates requested to miss court to run the Comrades marathon. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers AN apology alone, is not good enough, the Black Lawyers Association (BLA) said in response to Presiding judge in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Ratha Mokgoatlheng's apology on Monday following his court outburst where he made several remarks with racial undertones. Last week, Judge Mokgoatlheng expressed outrage in court after learning that defence advocate Charles Mnisi had written to his registrar, requesting to be excused from proceedings on Monday to participate in the Comrades Marathon. "This is what happens in a South Africa run by blacks. I can tell you now, even if you call Uncle Tom, I don't think a white advocate will ever have the gall to ask me that. Never," he said. The BLA did not take the comments lightly, calling out Judge Mokgoatlheng for launching 'an extremely unfortunate attack on black lawyers'. They gave him seven days to withdraw his comments, threatening further action if he failed to do so. 'What the Judge might not be aware of is that the attacks on black lawyers are not only distasteful but threaten our economic survival as law is our business. We strongly reject the assertion made by Judge Mokgoatlheng that seeks to compare black and white lawyers in the carrying out of their duties, especially in court. What is indisputable is that black lawyers are extremely capable, excellent and high level professionals. Our democratic set up has no place for the kind of Presiding Judge Mokgoatlheng represents,' the BLA said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ As the court session resumed on Monday, the judge made a public apology. "There is one thing I must attend to, all of us I am sure we read newspapers. It is proper that I should address this issue. Initially I want to say, I have been 26 years on the bench, as an acting judge, and as a judge. I have never ever behaved the way I did (on Thursday). I have been 30 years as an attorney before I became a judge," the judge addressed those in court. "I spoke to the JP (judge president) and the JP spoke to me together with the DJP. The JP rightfully excoriated me for my conduct, that it is not befitting of a judge of my experience and my stature that I should have behaved like I did. And I agree, my conduct was questionable and incorrect. My wife also, who I thought is afraid of me, told me that I should apologise to the whole of South Africa because I am worse than the attorneys who apparently steal the monies of clients in the RAF (Road Accident Fund) matter. She was reading the newspaper the other day about the fact that attorneys apparently (steal from clients) and they are colourless, they stole about R1.5 billion of RAF funds which belong to clients,' the judge said. Judge Mokgoatlheng said he wished to tender his "sincerest" apologies because the way he had behaved was contrary to his nature. In response to Judge Mokgoatlheng's apology, the BLA said while it was welcomed, it was not good enough given the severity of what was said. The BLA planned to reach out to call for further engagement on the issue. 'We welcome (the apology) but there must be a deeper conversation about what the judge has raised. Maybe we are not understanding the context. I personally want to understand how he thinks in terms of the issues of black lawyers. Once you start questioning the ability of practitioners on the basis of skin colour, you are raising a different topic altogether. I don't want to assume he is saying he does not trust in the abilities of black lawyers because there are exceptional legal minds out there, including him who is a judge today. He can't be casting aspersions on himself, that's why I'm saying a deeper conversation is needed,' BLA secretary general, Takalani Chris Mamathuntsha said.
eNCA
09-06-2025
- 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
09-06-2025
- 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
