Mbenenge tribunal: Mengo accused of withholding information
During this time, the judge president also used emojis with sexual connotations during their conversations on social media platform, WhatsApp.
Please note that the following story contains graphic details of a sexual nature.
JOHANNESBURG - High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo has been accused of deliberately withholding information that may paint her as consensual when laying a complaint against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge.
Mengo laid a sexual harassment complaint against the senior judge in 2023 after she allegedly endured unwanted sexual advances from him for about 17 months.
During this time, the judge president also used emojis with sexual connotations during their conversations on social media platform, WhatsApp.
READ: Mbenenge tribunal: Complainant quizzed on explaining herself to EC Judge President
However, advocate Muzi Sikhakhane has asserted that Mengo did not lay all her cards on the table.
A late-night conversation between Mbenenge and Mengo shows that the judge sent Mengo an emoji of a half-peeled banana.
This, mengo submits was used by the judge president to insinuate a more sexual message.
The messages show that she responded with laughing emojis.
However, in her original complaint, she only confirms that she responded with a sticker that reads, “Honourable member, don’t do that.”
READ: Mbenenge's legal counsel tries to dispel claims he sent complainant photos of his private parts
This interaction is something advocate Sikhakhane, who represents the judge, probed.
"Do you want to insist that’s your first reply to this banana?"
Sikhakhane has accused Mengo of filing a misleading complaint.
"You elected to omit certain things or communication from you."
The complainant's cross-examination resumes on Thursday.