Meyiwa judge apologises for ‘black lawyers’ remark
The judge presiding over the long-running murder trial of former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa has apologised for disparaging remarks he made about black lawyers last week.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng was slammed after rebuking defence attorney Advocate Charles Mnisi, who wanted to be excused from court on Monday.
Mnisi told the court he could not attend proceedings as he would be travelling from the Comrades Marathon.
A visibly irritated Mokgoatlheng told Mnisi: “I don't think a white advocate can have the gall to ask me that.”
He has now apologised unreservedly.
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"I have never behaved the way I did on Friday, and I agree my conduct was questionable and incorrect, and I wish now to tender my sincerest apologies. It's contrary to my nature to do that,” the judge said in court on Monday.
"Most graciously, I want to apologise to the chief justice and anybody in South Africa who felt slighted and felt insulted, as the newspapers [media] are saying, by my conduct.
Mokgoatlheng made the remarks on Monday before court proceedings got underway at the High Court in Pretoria, where five men are on a marathon trial for the murder of the Orlando Pirates captain in October 2014.
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