Tribunal looking into sex harassment claims against EC judge president left confused by complainant's submissions

JOHANNESBURG - Submissions made by the woman who has accused a senior judge of sexual harassment, have generated confusion from the Judicial Conduct Tribunal tasked with investigating the matter.

Andiswa Mengo sent messages to Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge which the panel found questionable.

She made submissions on the fourth day of hearings in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

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The junior staffer alleges that the judge made unwanted sexual advances towards her.

The tribunal is investigating the allegations of sexual harassment.

As the details of the exchanges were laid bare before the tribunal, one text from Mengo struck the tribunal.

During an interaction on social media platform, WhatsApp, in 2021, Mengo said the following to the senior judge: "Remain curious. I like that, so that when you arrive, you will have interest."

The complainant was probed multiple times on the meaning of the message.

Mengo denied that she was trying to garner the top judge’s interest.

However, evidence leader, advocate Salome Scheepers appeared unconvinced.

"No, but you said: 'So that when you arrive, you will have interest.' So you say he must remain greedy or curious. You like it like that so that when he arrives, he will have interest. I know you responded like that. I'm asking why you responded in that way. Did you want him to have interest in you because that is what it looks like here."

Mengo then said she did that to satisfy the senior judge, saying that she hoped that would deter him.