The exchange occurred during the long-running Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, where Mnisi challenged a state witness’s credibility over details involving accused Sifisokuhle Ntuli. Many online posters condemned the judge for racial bias, noting it echoes his June 2025 remark about a white advocate lacking the ‘gall’ to question him, for which he later apologized.
While some suggested the judge was merely frustrated by courtroom disruptions, critics called it judicial misconduct and urged reports to the Judicial Conduct Committee. The trial, now in its seventh year, involves five men charged in the 2014 shooting of the Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, with no verdict yet.
[WATCH] “…This is a problem… you argue with a judge… this is what happens to blacks,” Judge Ratha Mokgoatleng addresses Adv. Charles Mnisi. #SenzoMeyiwaTrial#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/Q6HYHfwuOv
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 12, 2026
Judge Ratha sparked controversy today, when he told Advocate Charles Mnisi: “This is a problem. You argue with a judge. This is what happens to bl*cks.”#SenzoMeyiwaTrial pic.twitter.com/3JrF3UoLHq
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) March 12, 2026