Judiciary watchdog Judges Matter says it’s saddened by the news that retired Constitutional Court Justice Yvonne Mokgoro was involved in a car crash.
It says this occurred at a critical juncture in time, as Mokgoro is one of the women who should be celebrating 100 years of women’s acceptance into the legal profession.
Mokgoro remains in the Intensive Care Unit at a hospital in Kimberley following the crash between Warrenton and Kimberley on the 3rd of April. Mokgoro was travelling from Johannesburg to Kimberley when a truck collided with the car she was in.
Northern Cape police have called on anyone with information about the accident to contact the police.
Northern Cape police have called on anyone with information about the accident to contact the police. It says the truck driver and his passenger were unharmed. Northern Cape Police spokesperson, Sergio Kock, says investigations are underway.
“The SAPS are investigating negligent and reckless driving after a truck and Mercedes Benz crashed on the N12. The crash occurred on the third of April 2023 at about eight PM when a truck and a car collided while travelling in the same direction. The male driver of the Mercedes Benz and his female passenger both received medical treatment while the truck driver and his passenger escaped unscathed.”
Mokgoro’s accident happened at a time when women in the legal profession are commemorating 100 years of the acceptance of women into the profession.
Senior Researcher at Judges Matter Mbekezeli Benjamin says they wish Mokgoro a speedy recovery.
“Our thoughts are with her family and we wish Justice Mokgoro strength and healing. This is particularly as in this month of April, we celebrate 100 years of women being allowed to practice law in South Africa. Justice Mokgoro holds a special place in our history as she was the first Black woman judge to be appointed by President Mandela. Justice Mokgoro is most famous for infusing the principle of Ubuntu into our law and legal system. And she has gone on to establish other important work such as establishing the Sol Plaatjie University, the first university in the Northern Cape. We wish Justice Mokgoro a speedy recovery.”
Mokgoro, who hails from Galeshewe in Kimberley, retired as a Concourt justice almost 14 years ago but has been continuing as an activist on various fronts, including on issues of social justice.
