Tribunal hears EC judge president requested junior employees to undress for him
Andiswa Mengo, a secretary in the division at the time said Mbenenge persisted with the unwelcome messages on WhatsApp.
A screengrab from the South African Judiciary channel. Retired Judge President Bernard Ngoepe is chairing the tribunal into Eastern Cape Judge President, Selby Mbenenge.
JOHANNESBURG -The tribunal investigating allegations of sexual harassment against Eastern Cape Judge President, Selby Mbenenge, has heard how he requested that junior employees in his division undress for him.
Andiswa Mengo, a secretary in the division at the time said Mbenenge persisted with the unwelcome messages on WhatsApp.
The tribunal is sitting for the second day of hearings in Rosebank to investigate the claims against the senior judge.
In one incident, Mengo alleges that the judge president told her to undress after she uploaded a photo on her WhatsApp status where she was wearing a dress.
READ: Tribunal probing allegations of sexual harassment by EC judge president expected to continue
Evidence leader, Advocate Salome Scheepers enquired about this request to which Mengo, with the assistance of an interpreter, gave the following submission.
"My understanding of that was that he wants me to undress and be naked from the upper body."
Mengo said she was shocked by Mbenenge’s request.
She said she did not outrightly reject it because she understood that if she did, she would not get any joy from it.