All sorts of folks are grumbling these days about activist judges, but hats off to Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe who has used his office to benefit a disabled youngster.

All sorts of folks are grumbling these days about activist judges, but hats off to Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe who has used his office to benefit a disabled youngster.

Ngoepe has volunteered to oversee what happens with the R1,2million compensation awarded to Sibusiso Lumula.

Lumula, 18, was left paralysed and mentally disabled at the age of seven after being struck by a car in 1997. Now 18 he lives in grinding poverty with his mother Phumzile, though the Road Accident Fund settled his claim in 2006 and paid the money to Lumula's lawyers.

Ngoepe used his judicial discretion to step in and ensure that the money will be used to benefit the victim - and all power to him for that.