By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
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.
Mokgoatlheng is the presiding officer in the second Senzo Meyiwa murder trial which started in July last year after the first presiding officer, Judge Tshifiwa Maumela, fell ill, forcing the trial to start from scratch.
Accused 1 in the trial within the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, continued giving evidence at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.
The trial within a trial seeks to determine the admissbility of confessions made by Sibiya and accused 2 Bongani Ntanzi.
On Tuesday, 6 February, Sibiya insisted that he knew nothing about the murder of Meyiwa.
Sibiya told the court that he was forced by Colonel Mhlanganyelwa Mbotho to sign a pre-written confession.
Five men are on trial for the murder of Meyiwa who was shot at the home of his girlfriend and singer Kelly Khumalo on 26 October 2014. The men are Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Mncube, Mthokoziseni Maphisa and Fisokuhle Nkani Ntuli.
The men face charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances, possession of firearms without a licence, and possession of ammunition. They have all pleaded not guilty.
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, Sibiya.
Mshololo told Mokgoatlheng that it was unfair for him to let Sibanda continue interrogating Sibiya about a warning statement that he had no knowledge about.
Before the court could break for lunch, Mokgoatlheng took a brief moment and addressed Mshololo on her comments.
“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,” Mokgoatlheng said in court.
Mokgoatlheng told Mshololo that he was trained by the most reputable legal professionals including the late human rights lawyer, George Bizos.
“They taught me to be honest in this profession … I’m just telling you who I am,” he said sternly.
Mshololo replied: “My lord, I’m also an advocate.”
“Please, don’t answer me, please,” said a visibly upset Mokgoatlheng.
“I’m also defending the accused. I’m raising an objection on the basis of fairness, I have a right to stand up and raise that objection … We all have different experiences,” she retorted.
Sibanda wrapped up his cross-examination of Sibiya.
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Video Courtesy of ENCA.