Times Of Swaziland: THULANI TELLS MPENDULO TO BEHAVE LIKE A JUDGE

THULANI TELLS MPENDULO TO BEHAVE LIKE A JUDGE
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 BY MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE  on 11/04/2014 05:03:00


MBABANE – Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko lost his temper in court and told
Judge Mpendulo Simelane to start behaving like a judge.
Maseko told judge off during his court appearance alongside his co-accused, The
Nation Magazine Editor Bheki Makhubu, yesterday.  The Human Rights Lawyer became
emotional after Judge Simelane reprimanded them for not standing up when their
matter was called.
The duo was arrested by members of the Royal Swaziland Police on Wednesday
evening after Judge Simelane had issued a warrant of arrest against them for
failing to appear before him.
Maseko was inside the accused dock with his co-accused when he suddenly stood up
to address the judge.
There was silence in court as Maseko told the judge that he had to start
conducting himself like a judge. Maseko was visibly upset and gestured with his
hands as he addressed the judge who continuously tried to speak over him.
His Lawyer Mandla Mkhwanazi remained in his seat as Maseko addressed the judge.
There was a round of applause from those who were in attendance as the visibly
angry Maseko dressed down the judge.
“You are a judge of the High Court and you must start behaving like one. Go
ahead and issue a warrant of arrest. Do not treat us like children. We have our
legal representatives here and you must take the war to them. You wanted us to
be arrested and here we are today I am getting tired of you,” said Maseko.
Judge Simelane asked Lawyer Mkhwanazi to address him on the conduct of his
client (Maseko). Mkhwanazi was, at first, reluctant but he later apologised to
the judge on behalf of Maseko.
“I am at pains to explain what transpired and I would like to render our
apologies for what happened today.
“I also apologise on behalf of my client,” Mkhwanazi said.
Before remanding the accused in custody, Judge Simelane said Maseko’s conduct
was highly contemptuous.
“The conduct of Maseko is highly contemptuous and what he did is unacceptable
as he is an attorney of this court and he knows how he should conduct
himself,” said Judge Simelane.
The judge also informed Maseko that he had powers to convict any person of any
conduct when that behaviour was not acceptable.
“I have been persuaded by the apology by Mr Mkhwanazi and that made me not to
take drastic steps. Otherwise I should be summarily sentencing the accused
(Maseko) now,” he said.
Judge Simelane said the reason he wanted the accused to stand up was to enquire
why they were not in court the previous day (Wednesday), instead he was defied
and further insulted.