Race row threatens Law Society

It says the society is under fire over the nomination to its Northern Provinces chapter of a black former acting judge and lawyer with 26 convictions against her. The Black Lawyers' Association (BLA), which nominated Matshego Ramagaga, is threatening to withdraw its members from the 'lily-white, racist and untransformed' LSSA and its four provincial structures. The report suggests the move is set to plunge the legal fraternity - already split over the row between Cape Judge President John Hlophe and the Constitutional Court judges - into further crisis. It notes the controversy erupted when the BLA nominated Ramagaga, an acting judge until late last year and now chair of the Gauteng Law Society and the Gauteng Liquor Board, to the 24-person council of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces (LSNP). Ramagaga's nomination was rejected because of her poor disciplinary record. She has had 56 complaints filed against her by clients, 26 of which have resulted in minor convictions. The LSNP held several meetings in a bid to resolve the problem, but the members refused to back down. Things got nasty when a letter on a BLA letterhead was sent to the LSNP addressed to 'Verwoerd Chambers' in 'Racist Avenue'. Then, during a council meeting held on 27 June, BLA members walked out after failing to resolve the impasse. The National Association of Democratic Lawyers (Nadel) contingent decided to join them in solidarity. Full Sunday Times report

According to a report in Beeld, Ramagaga faced fines amounting to R11 000, which were paid shortly before her nomination was submitted. Charlie (PC) Mnisi, president of the BLA and vice-chair of the society, said the refusal to accept the nomination was racist and proves that white members refuse to treat them as equals. 'There is no society at the moment. We will put pressure on the Justice Minister to implement legislation forcing transformation in the relevant societies,' Mnisi said. Full Beeld report