President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late Supreme Court of Appeal Justice Fikile Eunice Mokgohloa will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2. The funeral service will take place on Saturday, 29 August 2026, at 7:30 am at the Hillsong Church in Wonderboom, Pretoria, where she will also be laid to rest.
Justice Mokgohloa passed away on 20 August 2026 at the age of 65 after a long illness, leaving behind a distinguished legacy of service to the South African judiciary and the nation.
Tributes from President Ramaphosa
President Ramaphosa has paid tribute to Justice Mokgohloa for her immense contribution to the judiciary and jurisprudence. “Judge Mokgohloa has left us at the pinnacle of her commitment to the rule of law and the administration of our courts,” Ramaphosa said.
“Her legacy is entrenched in the many landmark judgments she delivered and in her exceptional judicial leadership. May her soul rest in peace.”
The President has also directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations across the country until the evening of Saturday, 29 August, as a mark of respect.
A Distinguished Judicial Career
Justice Mokgohloa’s career spanned more than two decades, marked by intellectual rigour, independence, and an unwavering commitment to the administration of justice.
Early Life and Legal Practice
Born on 1 June 1961 in Pretoria, Mokgohloa grew up in the rural area of Winterveld. She obtained her B Juris and LLB degrees from the University of the North West in 1987 and 1990, respectively.
She entered the legal profession as a candidate attorney in 1990 and later practised as an attorney, becoming a partner at Hack, Stupel & Ross Attorneys in Pretoria. In January 2000, she became a partner at her own firm, Mokgohloa Attorneys.
Between 2001 and 2006, she served as an acting regional magistrate and district magistrate in various courts in the North West.
Journey to the Bench
Mokgohloa began her judicial career as an acting judge in the Northern Cape Division in 2006. In November 2008, she was appointed as a permanent judge of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court.
She later served in the Limpopo Division and was appointed Deputy Judge President of that Division in 2016, a position she held until May 2019. During this period, she also served in an acting capacity in the Supreme Court of Appeal, gaining valuable experience at the appellate level.
In June 2019, President Ramaphosa appointed her to the Supreme Court of Appeal following a recommendation by the Judicial Service Commission. Her appointment was part of an important period of renewal and transformation of the appellate bench.
Landmark Judgments and Legal Legacy
During her time at the Supreme Court of Appeal, Justice Mokgohloa made a substantial contribution to South African jurisprudence. Her judgments reflected careful engagement with the law, the facts, and the constitutional principles that underpin the administration of justice.
Among the significant cases she presided over were matters concerning:
- Constitutional and administrative law – including a case that confirmed drone fishing remains illegal in South Africa, where she rejected arguments that anglers could use any method not specifically prohibited.
- Criminal justice – including a case where she ruled that a life sentence for rape was “shockingly inappropriate” when the accused was not properly informed of the penal provisions, reducing the sentence to ten years.
- Medical negligence – where she ruled in favour of a mother whose child suffered cerebral palsy due to negligence at a hospital, ordering the Eastern Cape Health MEC to pay damages.
- Municipal governance – where she ruled that a municipality could not ignore its own resolution to pay backpay to former employees, finding the failure to implement the resolution unlawful.
She also contributed to the leadership of the court and acted as the Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2024.
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Funeral Arrangements
The Special Official Funeral Category 2 will feature ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service, a fitting tribute to a judge who served the nation with distinction.
Mokgohloa will be buried in Pretoria, with the funeral service scheduled for 7:30 am on Saturday at Hillsong Church in Wonderboom, Pretoria.
Judiciary Mourns a Valued Colleague
Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, on behalf of the judiciary, expressed profound sadness at Mokgohloa’s passing, describing it as a profound loss to the judiciary, the legal profession, and the people of South Africa.
“The Judiciary has lost a valued colleague and an accomplished jurist. Justice Mokgohloa served with dignity, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility to the law,” Chief Justice Maya said.
“Her judicial record stands as part of the enduring contribution she made to the development of South African law.”
President Ramaphosa Extends Condolences
President Ramaphosa extended his deep condolences to Mokgohloa’s family, friends, and colleagues, recognising her service to the nation and the judiciary with distinction, integrity, and dedication over the last 20 years.
Funeral and memorial arrangements were communicated in consultation with the family, ensuring that her legacy is honoured with the dignity she deserves.
Justice Mokgohloa’s Enduring Legacy
Justice Fikile Mokgohloa leaves behind a judicial legacy that will continue to inspire generations of legal practitioners and judges. Her commitment to the rule of law, her intellectual rigour, and her dedication to justice have left an indelible mark on South Africa’s legal landscape.
As the nation mourns her passing, her landmark judgments and exceptional leadership will serve as a lasting testament to her contribution to the development of South African law.