EFF condemns Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng for his reckless commentary regarding peaceful protests in Parliament

28 November 2023

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns in the strongest terms the irresponsible commentary by the Judge in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, who made condescending comments regarding Parliamentarians who sought to peacefully hold Cyril Ramaphosa accountable at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on the 9th of February 2023.

In what can only be described as a descent into the political arena by a Judge, Mogkoatlheng inexplicably compared the scuffle that ensued in his court between wardens and the murder suspects in the trial, to the assault of democratically elected Members of Parliament holding placards calling for an end to corruption, unemployment and violent crime.

It must always be remembered that the violence in Parliament, was solely on the side of parliamentary security, members of SAPS, Ramaphosa's security detail and unidentifiable armed men, who stormed South Africa's Parliament and assaulted members.

Therefore, Mokgoatlheng's characterization of the events of SONA 2023, are misguided, unwarranted and reveal a nauseating trend in the Judiciary, of Judges becoming political commentators. This trend begins at the highest court in the land and has now filtered down to the lower courts.

The Senzo Meyiwa trial seems to be cursed with self-seeking opportunists, whose desire to be the news supersedes their commitment and duty to execute justice. The EFF condemns Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng and urges him to refrain from spewing his nonsensical political views, and undermining the Senzo Meyiwa case by centering himself in it.

The nation is interested in closure after the prolonged court case to find justice for the late Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, and Mokgoatlheng will do well to remember that and keep his political views to himself.

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 28 November 2023