Judicial Tribunal hears how Mbenenge requested sex from junior staffer, Mengo
Andiswa Mengo said after she told Mbenenge that she was in East London and asked to meet, he asked her if they could be intimate.
Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge. Picture: Judges Matter
JOHANNESBURG - The Judicial Tribunal investigating sexual harassment allegations against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge has heard how he requested to have sex with a junior staffer in his division at the time.
Andiswa Mengo said after she told Mbenenge that she was in East London and asked to meet, he asked her if they could be intimate.
Mengo has been giving testimony before the tribunal in Johannesburg that is probing the complaint she laid against the senior judge in 2023.
She alleges that the jurist made unwanted sexual advances towards her for 15 months.
READ: WhatsApp takes centre stage at EC judge president's tribunal hearing
Upon hearing of her whereabouts in 2021, Mbenenge asked his junior if they could have sex over texts on WhatsApp.
The message was read out by an interpreter, Lungi Ngaphi.
“You reckon we can be intimate this week?”
Upset by the message, Mengo said she responded with scripture in the isiXhosa bible beginning with the word "no".
Mengo, with the help of the interpreter, said this was her way of dismissing him.
“That was then my way of assurance to him that, that which he wants is not going to happen.”
Mengo said she believed this was an appropriate response as Mbenenge is a leader in the church and would understand the reference.