Judge tells defence he is ‘no crook’

TEMPERS flared in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial yesterday afternoon when a visibly annoyed Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng fired a salvo at defence advocate Zandile Mshololo, telling her he was no crook and that he had ample experience in the field of law.

Judge Mokgoatlheng is the presiding officer in the second Meyiwa murder trial which started in July last year after the first presiding officer, Judge Tshifiwa Maumela, was suspended, forcing the trial to start again.

The spat between the judge and Mshololo ensued after she stood up to raise an objection regarding how State advocate Ronnie Sibanda was cross-examining accused number one, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, during the trial-within-a-trial, which is being held to determine the admissibility of Sibiya’s alleged confession, which was made after his arrest in May 2020.

Mshololo told Judge Mokgoatlheng it was unfair of him to let Sibanda continue interrogating Sibiya about a warning statement he had no knowledge of.

Before the court could break for lunch, Judge Mokgoatlheng addressed Mshololo.

“Miss Mshololo, this is what I’m going to say to you. I have been on the Bench for 20 years, I have practised as an attorney for 30 years. I have never ever been accused of being a crook or being dishonest,” Judge Mokgoatlheng said in court.

Judge Mokgoatlheng told Mshololo that he was trained by the most reputable legal professionals, including the late George Bizos.

“They taught me to be honest in this profession ... I’m just telling you who I am,” he said.

The State has continued to poke holes in Sibiya’s testimony, pointing out that it differed from the evidence which was led by his legal representative, advocate Thulani Mngomezulu.

When asked why his evidence doesn’t match that of his lawyer, Sibiya said Mngomezulu might have misinterpreted him.

The trial continues.