Legendary soccer player Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng is a judge on the South African High Court. He was among the original Kaizer Chiefs members. His first appointment to the bench occurred on May 30, 2007.
The former soccer player is presiding over the Senzo Meyiwa trial. Former Judge Tshifiwa Maumela gave way to him. His grasp of South African law is extensive, and he is witty and quick with a keen tongue.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng’s Childhood
The birthplace of Ratha Mokgoatlheng is Alexandra Township. Ratha and his family were forced to move to Diepkloof, Soweto. Raised in an academic household, his uncle became a teacher before becoming the school inspector and principal.
Moses Kotane, the secretary-general of the South African Communist Party, raised the judge at his house. He chose to study law in part because he respected lawyers Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela. In addition, his father insisted that he become a man of the law.
Education
Judge Ratha spent three years as a student at Madibane High. He enrolled at the University of Fort Hare to study law.
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng’s Career
Soccer
At the age of 20, Mokgoatlheng began playing soccer with the Orlando Pirates. Ratha was kicked off the football team in 1969. During his football career, he went by Jimmy Greaves. He used to play soccer with eyeglasses back then.
Ratha received a letter of expulsion along with two other people, Edward Msomi Khoza and Thomas Zero Johnson, for not informing the management that they were going to play as guest players for a small team in Gaborone, Botswana.
For three years, the judge tried to travel abroad for football trials. Veteran football journalist Sy Lerman attempted to secure a trial with Manchester United for him. His father insisted that he continue his education at Fort Hare despite his refusal.
Kaizer, Khoza, and Ratha established Kaizer Chiefs. He continued to play for the Kaizer Chiefs and attend the University to study law. He was admitted to the bar in 1976 and continued to be a member of the group.
It was widely known that Mokgoatlheng had the ability to misdirect opponents with his upper body throw.
In 1968, he scored what Pirates’ Ace Ntsoelengoe referred to as a “never-see goal” against the Randfontein team Young Zebras.
Law
The Judge completed his articles at the Bowman Gilfillan law firm under his credentials. In 1976, he received authorization to practice law. He spent thirty years as an attorney before being appointed an acting judge in 2002. Before his retirement, Mokgoatlheng was appointed as a full-time judge in 2007.
The trial of the Jeppestown Massacre was one of his cases. In June 2006, a gunfight lasting five hours broke out at a residence in Jeppestown, Johannesburg, killing eight alleged robbers and four police officers. He sentenced the eleven suspects to life in prison.
Ratha locked up Richard Mdluli, the former head of crime intelligence since he had abducted his customary wife. In 2020, he granted bail to Bosasa’s whistleblower, Angelo Agrizzi. He also identified the traditional wife of Lerato Sengadi from the well reported court cases.
The Judge replaced Judge Tshifiwa Maumela as the one presiding over the Senzo Meyiwa trial. President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Maumela for failing to settle many outstanding court proceedings.
Individual Life
Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng has a wife and two children.
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