Tribunal hears how Judge President Mbenenge attempted to expose his private parts to complainant
Andiswa Mengo said that the judge president made inappropriate remarks in an encounter at his chambers three years ago.
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
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC DETAILS OF A SEXUAL NATURE
JOHANNESBURG - The woman who has accused Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge of sexual harassment has testified that the senior judge attempted to expose his private parts to her.
Andiswa Mengo was a High Court secretary at the time.
She said that the judge president made inappropriate remarks in an encounter at his chambers three years ago.
Mengo is testifying before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating the claims made by the junior staffer.
She alleges that the top judge made unwanted sexual advances towards her between 2021 and 2022.
This is the first in-person interaction that Mengo has testified about before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal.
It’s alleged that on 14 November 2022, Mbenenge summoned the High Court secretary to his chambers.
There, Mbenenge allegedly directed her attention to his crotch where he then allegedly said the following, as testified by Mengo.
"He asked me: 'Do you see the effect you have on me?'"
During this time, Mbenenge allegedly pointed to his bulging pants.
Mengo, through an interpreter, said that the judge president then asked her another question.
"He asked me if I didn’t want to suck it?"
Mengo said that Mbenenge was also fiddling with his zip during the interaction.
The complainant, now emotional, struggled to compose herself.
The tribunal has temporarily adjourned.