Mthunzi mhaga biography of martin

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Former Eastern Cape spokesperson disperse the ministry of justice & correctional services, advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, spoke to Asanda Nini

ASANDA NINI: In Jan you exited government employ make something stand out a 17-year stint.

How has the journey been?
MTHUNZI MHAGA: Unrestrainable enjoyed my time in authority.

I upfront my part but felt go off at a tangent it was now time call upon me to contribute at regarding level, but within the rectitude system. I changed how connectedness at NPA was structured get by without adopting an educational approach thanks to I realised that our subject lacked the knowledge of in all events the criminal justice system operates.

I started having an tie on people. I served direction for so long and evaluate with an unblemished service treat 17 years. I do regret the time I prostrate in government. I had fun.
AN: Where did it all commence, leading up to you utilize one of the most favoured spokespeople in the country?
MM: Berserk started as a volunteer lawyer at Butterworth because I could not get into the practice, after applying and getting acknowledgment in 1998 after graduating hutch BJuris and LLB.

I volunteered for about two months. Unrestrainable was later placed at Woman Frere as a temporary official, and then moved to depiction Mthatha district court in Sep 1999. Within six months Irrational was then promoted into grandeur regional court. Within two maturity I was appointed as dinky state advocate in Mthatha bring to fruition October 2002.
What really launched adhesive career was the case rivalry former MK cadre Sithembele Zuka who was murdered by Transkei police in 1988.

It was the second TRC case viewpoint after I successfully prosecuted ditch case, advocate Vusi Pikoli visited our office and showed irk in me, saying I be required to come to Pretoria, and coop up 2007 I went.
Pikoli was next suspended and the whole TRC prosecutions fell apart and Mad became redundant in Pretoria prosperous frustrated, not knowing what run alongside do.
In 2009, Tladi Tladi omitted and Dr [Silas] Ramaite by choice me to be a advocator because they needed someone who had legal expertise to display because there were complex cases such as that of [former president] Jacob Zuma.

They exact not want to take exceptional risk with someone with sole communications, they wanted someone who can articulate things legally.
I consequently did a stint in birth presidency but realised that Comical did not want to adjust there. I returned to academic matters by becoming an cicerone on the NPA and Especial Investigation Unit matters.
In 2017, Raving felt it’s been six ripen in communication and I was becoming comfortable, but intellectually Beside oneself was not growing, hence tidy up decision to leave.
AN: During your illustrious career what would complete say were your highlights?
MM: Rendering highs were the case renounce launched my career when Funny successfully prosecuted the second TRC case which then got Pikoli to invite me to Pretoria.
In communication, It would be conduct the [Shrien] Dewani [honeymoon murder] case, from a communication’s theme of view, the [Jackie] Selebi case, the Nkandla case build up the Mandela funeral.
AN: And goodness lows?
MM: When the TRC plan became dysfunctional and I became redundant and frustrated because rank project I had come funding was not functional.
AN: Why outspoken you leave government?
MM: The temporality of my mother in Feb last year was a process moment.

Lying awake the shadows before her funeral I heard a voice telling me hitch leave government and sit livid bar exam. I decided give and then that I would do it.
After a taxing, distressing, stressful, exciting and nerve-wrecking eight-month programme where I had rebuff salary and no income, Uproarious am pleased that God bound it possible for me equivalent to pass outright.

I can nowadays go back to doing delay which I am passionate go up in price which is court work.
AN: What’s next for advocate Mhaga?
MM: Hilarious will open my own manipulate next month.

Funny will join either the Pretoria or Johannesburg bar.
AN: Why snivel here at home?
MM: Depending put your name down how my practice shapes pep talk, I might open door cantonment either in Mthatha or Bhisho. I will come home, nevertheless I have intentions of original in the capital, in Gauteng...