Complainant in sex harassment matter against EC's top judge says she feared losing her job
Andiswa Mengo said she treaded carefully in her responses to the judge president's sexual advances because she was mindful of his social standing and the risks involved if she openly rejected him.
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JOHANNESBURG - The woman who has accused Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge of sexual harassment said her interactions with him were driven by fear.
Andiswa Mengo said she treaded carefully in her responses to the judge president's sexual advances because she was mindful of his social standing and the risks involved if she openly rejected him.
She was testifying on Tuesday before the judicial tribunal which is tasked with investigating the allegations against the senior judge.
As a junior staffer in the Eastern Cape division at the time, Mengo said that the judge requested provocative photographs from her.
She added that he also asked her to undress.
Mengo submitted that she respected her senior and was afraid of losing her job.
"I was respecting the fact that he is my boss and secondly, because he is a powerful person, I was afraid. I was afraid of losing my job as I am a single mother. I do not know, therefore, what he would have thought if I had spoken to him in a rude manner."