Late Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa’s family is happy that judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has been appointed to preside over murder trial.
Senzo Meyiwa’s brother Sfiso said he has researched the new presiding judge.
“I have done some research about this judge and discovered that he is someone who doesn’t take nonsense.”
Image: Simphiwe Mbokazi/African News Agency(ANA)
“We as the family are not worried because we believe our prayers have been answered, the case is in the right hands now,” said Sfiso.
It was reported on Tuesday that judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng will replace judge Tshifhiwa Maumela who was suspended by President Cyril Ramaphosa over a week ago on the recommendation of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC).
Image: Oupa Mokoena/African News Agency(ANA)
All the five accused have pleaded not guilty.
Meyiwa was killed on 26 October 2014, while with his girlfriend and mother of his child, Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus.
In the house, that day were Senzo, Kelly and her younger sister Zandile, their mother Ntombi, Longwe Twala, Senzo’s friends Mthokozisi Thwala and Tumelo Madlala, Kelly‘s son Christian and their daughter Thingo.
The commission accused judge Tshifhiwa Maumela and judge Nomonde Mngqibisa-Thusi for failing to deliver judgements within the allocated timeframe.
In April, the JSC recommended that both judges be suspended and that a Judicial Conduct Tribunal be established to review complaints against them.
The Meyiwa trial was postponed to 17 July due to Maumela falling ill.
President Cyril Ramaphosa did not suspend judge Maumela because of his health conditions but for failing to deliver judgements.
The Senzo Meyiwa trial will resume at the Pretoria High Court on 17 July.