Complainant tells tribunal she responded to Mbenenge's advances in a manner he would have preferred
The Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating sexual harrasment allegations against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge has adjourned for the week after the interpreter began losing her voice.
The Judicial Conduct Tribual hearing into the sexual harassment claims against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge in Rosebank, Joahnnesburg on 15 January 2025. Picture: Zoleka Qodashe/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating sexual harassment allegations against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge has adjourned for the week after the interpreter, Lungi Ngaphi, began losing her voice, saying that she was tired.
Andiswa Mengo alleges that the senior judge made unwanted sexual advances towards her and sent her crude and explicit messages electronically on social media platform, WhatsApp.
She also alleges that the inappropriate interactions also took place physically.
The tribunal continued combing through the WhatsApp messages between High Court secretary, Mengo, and Mbenenge on day five of hearings.
Mengo alleges that the judge president sent her a collage depicting various sexual positions on 18 July 2021.
He instructed the junior to view the image alone and later deleted the message.
Mengo responded to the photo by saying "nice".
Later, the top judge said it seemed as though Mengo wanted "half insertion", to which Mengo responded "foreplay kindles".
Evidence leader, advocate Salome Scheepers probed Mengo on the texts.
"I responded in this manner because he wanted this to come from me in telling as to before anything happens, which style do I like and before we do the style, what must happen first."
Mbenenge then asked Mengo: "Slowly?" To which she responded: "Please".
Mengo said she simply responded in the way that Mbenenge would have preferred.
The tribunal will reconvene on Monday, with the complainant back on the witness stand.