Mengo defends decision to omit responses to EC Judge President Selby's salacious messages
Adiswa Mengo said that she only included what she thought was relevant to her complaint when she lodged a grievance against the senior judge.
JOHANNESBURG - High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo has defended her decision to omit her responses to Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge's salacious messages.
Mengo said that she only included what she thought was relevant to her complaint when she lodged a grievance against the senior judge.
She was being re-examined before the judicial conduct tribunal tasked with investigating the sexual harassment allegations she has made against the judge.
The junior staffer accuses the jurist of making unwanted sexual advances towards her between 2021 and 2022.
During cross-examination, advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, who represents Mbenenge, read out every instance in which Mengo responded in what may be perceived as equally salacious messages to the top judge.
When evidence leader, advocate Salome Scheepers, questioned this, Mengo, through an interpreter said that she only provided what was relevant to the complaint.
"As I've mentioned in evidence in chief, that I only took parts that were relevant at the time."
Scheepers also asked why the junior seemingly entertained the advances by her senior. Mengo, again, stood by her earlier submissions.
"My respondent did not want to discern my voice or me saying no and someone of his age, it was not going to be myself having to tell him what is the difference between right and wrong."
Asked about whether she was ever comfortable with the nature of the conversations, Mengo said no.