Nkola John Motata
Nkola John Motata | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the High Court | |
| Assumed office 6 October 2009 – 2024 | |
| Appointed by | Jacob Zuma |
| Division | Eastern Cape |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nkola John Motata 2 June 1947 Alexandra, Transvaal Union of South Africa |
| Alma mater | University of Fort Hare Witwatersrand University |
Nkola John Motata (born 6 February 1947) is a South African-born disgraced high court judge.[1][2] He made headlines in 2007 when he drove drunk into a property, knocking the wall and quarreling with the property owner using racial slurs.[3][4][5][6][7]
Early life
[edit]Nkola Motata was born in Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa. He went to Ithute Primary School in Alexandra and went to matriculate at Orlando High School in 1966, in Soweto. Motata earned his undergraduate law degree, a BIuris in 1979 at the Fort Hare LLB (1986) as well as Wits. He did his Diploma in Trial Advocacy in 1992 at Colorado, USA.[8]
Legal career
[edit]Motata was admitted as an attorney in 1982 and practised until 1984. Between 1985 and 1986 he studied full-time at Wits University. He was a legal advisor between 1987-88. Matata was admitted as an advocate in 1989 and participated in Johannesburg Bar activities. From 1996 to 1997 he was the chairman of the Black Advocates' Forum (1996–97 ) and was also a member and tutor of Black Lawyers Association as well as a member of the RC Committee on Amnesty. He started acting as a Acting judge in 1999.[8]
Drunk and diving accident
[edit]In 2007 ,Motata crashed his car against a wall in a Hurlingham residence in Sandton, north of Johannesburg. The crash was recorded on a cellphone video where Motata hurdle abuse at the property owner. In 2009 he was found guilty of drunk driving and fined R2000.[9][10]
On 6 March 2024, President Ramaphosa removed Judge Motata from office. He became the second South African judge to be impeached since the end of apartheid, though the National Assembly voted to support the first impeachment—that of Judge John Hlophe.[11][12]
Personal life
[edit]Motata is married to Ramoraswi Jeannette Makoea and have two children together.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Judge Motata Archives". Judges Matter. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ Hawker, Dianne (16 July 2024). "Disgraced ex-judge Motata goes to ConCourt over 'double punishment'". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ Wicks, Bernadette. "ConCourt throws out 'drunk judge' Nkola Motata's impeachment challenge". News24. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ "Motata did not consider himself drunk when he crashed into wall". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 18 April 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ Erasmus, Des (17 July 2024). "Former judge Nkola Motata asks Concourt to overturn his impeachment". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ Broughton, By Tania (22 June 2023). ""Drunk" Judge Nkola Motata to be impeached". GroundUp News. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ Erasmus, Des (17 July 2024). "Former judge Nkola Motata asks Concourt to overturn his impeachment". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "New judges" (PDF). General Council of the Bar of South Africa.
- ^ "JSC fines 'drunk judge' Motata over a million rand for 2009 drunk driving accident - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader". SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa\'s news leader. 10 October 2019. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ "I didn`t make racist remarks after crashing my Jaguar - Nkola Motata - OPINION | Politicsweb". www.politicsweb.co.za. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2023-06-22-retired-judge-motata-could-face-impeachment-16-years-after-drunk-driving-incident/
- ^ "President Ramaphosa affirms removal of Judges Hlophe and Motata | The Presidency". www.thepresidency.gov.za. Archived from the original on 4 June 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.