Judge Under Fire for Racial Remark After Advocate Skips Senzo Meyiwa Trial to Run Comrades Marathon

Parliament has called on Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng to issue a public apology after making a racially charged comment in court on Thursday. The remark followed Advocate Charles Mnisi’s request to be absent from court on Monday to take part in the Comrades Marathon.

The incident unfolded during proceedings in the ongoing Senzo Meyiwa murder trial. Frustrated by the request, Judge Mokgoatlheng responded harshly, saying:

> “This is what happens in a South Africa run by blacks. Even if you called Uncle Tom, I don’t think a white advocate would ever have the gall to ask me that. Never.”

The statement has drawn sharp criticism from Parliament, with Justice and Constitutional Development Committee Chairperson Xola Nqola condemning the remark as inappropriate and bordering on racism.

“The behavior or competence of legal practitioners should never be reduced to race. His frustration may be understandable, but such generalizations are deeply problematic,” Nqola stated.

“We urge the judge to retract his comments and apologise to the public.”

Judge Mokgoatlheng, clearly upset, emphasized that the murder trial is too serious to be disrupted by personal plans.

> “I’ll be in court. If Mr Mnisi doesn’t want to come, that’s his business. But I won’t stop this case because someone wants to run a marathon,” he said.

He pointed out that several judges are also active runners—like Judge Boissie Mbha and Constitutional Court Justice Rammaka Mathopo—but none of them have let their athletic commitments interfere with their duties.

Reflecting on his own legal career, he recalled how colleagues always made arrangements to ensure court schedules were respected.

> “This trial has dragged on for over a decade. The family of Senzo Meyiwa is still waiting for justice. The accused have been in custody for years. We cannot afford more delays,” Mokgoatlheng said passionately.

The judge ended his comments with a mix of anger and sarcasm:

> “And here’s this stupid judge, Mokgoatlheng, allowing an advocate representing two accused to go run a marathon. Am I supposed to tell the Judge President that? Ridiculous.”

The matter has ignited debate over professionalism, racial bias, and the balance between personal commitments and the justice system’s demands.