Mbenenge tribunal: Sikhakhane pokes holes in Mengo's testimony
Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, who is representing Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge was cross-examined Andiswa Mengo on Tuesday.
JOHANNESBURG - Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane has tried to poke holes in High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo’s testimony, where she accuses a top judge of sexually harassing her.
Mengo’s case against the Eastern Cape Judge President, Selby Mbenenge, is being heard before a Judicial Conduct Tribunal.
Mengo had previously testified that Mbenenge asked her to undress.
However, Sikhakhane argues that her testimony was inconsistent because she also claimed that the judge allegedly asked her to show her upper body after she uploaded a photo on WhatsApp.
READ: Complainant Mengo concedes that her interactions with Mbenenge could be reasonably concluded to be sensual
Sikhakhane, who is representing Mbenenge cross-examined Mengo on Tuesday.
“Is there any particular reason why you lie?”
This is how Sikhakhane fiercely probed the high court secretary.
Sikhakhane questioned the junior employee after she provided an untrue excuse about why she could not agree to a request made by Mbenenge.
Speaking through an interpreter, Mengo reasoned: “It's because I was scared of him and it was the first time speaking to him and working with him at that time.”
Earlier, Sikhakhane and Mengo agreed that one who is untruthful can appropriately be labelled as a liar.
Here, Sikhakhane asked Mengo: “Now that we know that you lied, about that particular aspect, are you a liar?”
Mengo has also assured the panel that, from her knowledge, she did not delete any images or messages she sent to the Eastern Cape's highest judge.