By: Natasha Archary
The Meyiwa family are optimistic about the new judge who will presiding over the slain footballer’s murder trial, but are said to be devastated that the trial will likely restart.
This after President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela for failing to make judgements on the case within a reasonable timeframe.
As a result, retired judge, Ratha Mokgoatlheng has been roped in to oversee the trial that has captured most South Africans interest.
The former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana football star was gunned down in October 2014 in an apparent botched home invasion.
Five men who are accused of the footballer’s murder have been on trial from April 2022, with a number of delays and postponements in the case along the way.
The Meyiwa family who have been patiently waiting for justice told TimesLive that they are devastated that the trial may start over.
However, the family remains optimistic that Judge Mokgoatlheng will avoid delays because of his no nonsense approach.
Speaking on behalf of the Meyiwa family, AfriForum’s advocate Gerrie Nel says they are devastated that the murder trial of the soccer star, who died in October 2014, will have to restart.
“If you put yourself in their position, it’s almost 10-years since the event and the matter will only start on 17 July, and everything that has happened up until now will have to be forgotten.
We believe Judge Mokgoatlheng will avoid delays as much as he can since he knows the whole nation wants justice.”
The family remains optimistic that the issues have been resolved and that there will be no further delays in the trial.
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