Presiding Judge in Meyiwa trial willing to recuse himself if lawyers believe he's biased

PRETORIA - The presiding judge in the Senzo Meyiwa trial has invited lawyers in the matter to apply for his recusal if they believe he is unfit to run the trial

Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng made an extensive apology for the race-based comments he made in court last week.

As he rebuked a lawyer for asking for time off to run the comrades marathon, Mokgotlheng made comments about black lawyers and South Africa being run by blacks.

The judge has since apologised for the comments.

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If Judge Mokgoatlheng recuses himself from the trial, the matter would have to start from scratch for a third time, and a third judge would be appointed to preside.

On Monday, Judge Mokgoatlheng, who has come under fire for his race-based comments, apologised and also extended an invitation to the lawyers before him.

“If you believe that I, as a judge, am so useless, dumb, and you think you can’t get a fair trial from me, please tell me, I will recuse myself. I don’t want to impose myself on people who doubt my integrity, honour and dignity.”

Judge Mokgoatlheng, who has been accused of being racist, gave a detailed apology for his comments and went to great lengths to give reasons why he is not.

“If I trampled on anybody’s toes because of my racism, despite being in adherence to the Freedom Charter of 1955, I was there in Kliptown with my father, I wish to apologise for being a racist. I will try and mend my ways,but I can tell you, it’s not a conscious thing about me to be a racist.”

He extended his apology to all South Africans, all judges, and in particular, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya.