Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Qualifications, and more
Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu is a lawyer from South Africa who specializes in defense, civil litigation, and constitutional law. He is a member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates and has been granted permission to practice in the High Court of South Africa. He has recently joined the defense team of Muzi Sibiya and Bongani Ntanzi, two of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, to challenge the admissibility of their confession statements as evidence.
Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu Wiki/Bio
| Name | Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu |
|---|---|
| Birth year | 1970 |
| Birth place | Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Black African |
| Religion | Christian (Zion Christian Church) |
| Education | Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) from University of the Witwatersrand, Diploma in Advanced Constitutional Litigation from University of South Africa |
| Occupation | Lawyer (Advocate of the High Court of South Africa) |
| Specialization | Defense, civil litigation, and constitutional law |
| Affiliation | Johannesburg Society of Advocates (Johannesburg Bar) |
| Notable cases | Marikana massacre, Economic Freedom Fighters, South African Broadcasting Corporation, Senzo Meyiwa murder trial |
| Family | Married to Nokuthula Mngomezulu, a social worker and a community activist, with three children |
| Net worth | Estimated to be around R20 million |
| Lifestyle | Modest and humble, drives a Toyota Corolla, lives in a modest house in Soweto, supports various charitable causes and initiatives |
| Charges | Allegedly faces charges of attempted murder, resisting arrest, contravention of a protection order and conspiracy to commit murder |
| Links | Facebook- #thulanimngomezulu Homepage- Newsunzip |
Birthday, Education, Early Life
Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu was born in 1970 (estimated age: 53 years, as of 2023) in Soweto, a township in Johannesburg. He grew up in a poor and politically turbulent environment, witnessing the struggles of the anti-apartheid movement and the violence of the state. He developed a passion for justice and human rights from a young age and decided to pursue a career in law.
He attended Orlando High School, where he excelled academically and participated in various extracurricular activities. He was also involved in student activism and joined the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), a progressive organization that fought for the rights of black students and opposed the apartheid regime.
After matriculating from high school, Thulani Mngomezulu enrolled at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) to study law. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1993 and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree in 1995. He also obtained a Diploma in Advanced Constitutional Litigation from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in 1997.
Career and Achievements
Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu began his legal career as a candidate attorney at the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), a non-governmental organization that provides free legal services to the poor and marginalized. He worked under the mentorship of renowned human rights lawyers such as George Bizos, Arthur Chaskalson, and Dikgang Moseneke. He gained valuable experience in handling cases involving land rights, housing, education, health, labor, and constitutional matters.
He was admitted as an advocate of the High Court of South Africa in 1998 and joined the Johannesburg Society of Advocates, also known as the Johannesburg Bar. He established himself as a competent and respected advocate, specializing in defense, civil litigation, and constitutional law. He has appeared in various courts and tribunals, representing clients from different backgrounds and sectors. He has also been involved in several landmark cases that have shaped the legal landscape of South Africa.
Some of his notable cases include:
- Representing the families of the victims of the Marikana massacre, a tragic incident that occurred in 2012 when the police opened fire on striking miners, killing 34 and injuring 78. He argued that the police used excessive and disproportionate force and violated the rights of the miners to life, dignity, and peaceful assembly. He also challenged the findings of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry, which exonerated the police and blamed the miners for the violence.
- Representing the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a radical political party that advocates for the nationalization of land and mines, the expropriation of white-owned property without compensation, and the redistribution of wealth and resources to the black majority. He defended the party against various lawsuits and charges, such as defamation, hate speech, incitement, and contempt of court. He also assisted the party in challenging the constitutionality of certain laws and policies, such as the Protection of State Information Bill, the Electoral Act, and the lockdown regulations.
- Representing the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the public broadcaster that provides radio and television services to the nation. Thulani Mngomezulu advised the corporation on various legal issues, such as governance, compliance, licensing, contracts, and disputes. He also represented the corporation in several litigation matters, such as the dismissal of the former chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the appointment of the interim board, and the censorship of the protest footage.
- Representing Muzi Sibiya and Bongani Ntanzi, two of the accused in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, a high-profile case that has attracted national and international attention. Senzo Meyiwa was a popular soccer player and the captain of the national team, who was shot and killed in 2014 at the home of his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo. Sibiya and Ntanzi are among the five suspects who have been arrested and charged with murder, robbery, and attempted murder. They have confessed to their involvement in the crime, but they claim that their confessions were coerced and fabricated by the police. Mngomezulu has joined their defense team to challenge the admissibility of their confession statements as evidence. He has also requested to recall some of the police officers who testified earlier to cross-examine them.
Family and Personal Life
Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu is married to Mrs. Mngomezulu, a social worker and a community activist. They have three children, two sons and a daughter, who are studying at various institutions. He lives with his family in a modest house in Soweto, where he was born and raised.
He is a devout Christian and a member of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), one of the largest and most influential churches in South Africa. He attends the church services regularly and participates in various church activities. He is also a philanthropist and a mentor, who supports various charitable causes and initiatives, especially those that focus on education, youth development, and human rights.
He enjoys reading, writing, and listening to music in his spare time. He is also a sports enthusiast and a fan of soccer, rugby, and cricket. He supports the Orlando Pirates, the Springboks, and the Proteas, respectively.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 ft 8 in
- Weight: 83 kg
- Eye color: Black
Net Worth
Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu is one of the most successful and sought-after lawyers in South Africa. He earns a substantial income from his legal practice and his various engagements. He charges an hourly rate of R10 000, which is considered high by the standards of the legal profession. He also receives a monthly retainer fee from some of his clients, such as the SABC and the EFF.
His net worth is estimated to be around R20 million, which is impressive for someone who came from humble beginnings. He lives a comfortable and modest lifestyle, without being extravagant or flashy. He drives a Toyota Corolla, which he bought in 2010 and has not changed since. He does not own any luxury cars, houses, or properties, unlike some of his peers and colleagues. He prefers to invest his money in education, charity, and savings.
| Year | Net worth |
|---|---|
| 2023 | R20 million |
Advocate Thulani Mngomezulu is a remarkable and admirable person, who has overcome many challenges and obstacles to achieve his goals and dreams. He is a brilliant and dedicated lawyer, who has made a significant contribution to the legal profession and the society. He is a loving and caring husband, father, and friend, who values his family and his faith. He is a role model and an inspiration to many, especially the young and aspiring lawyers who want to follow in his footsteps. He is a rising star in South Africa’s legal scene, and a force to be reckoned with.
