Tribunal investigating allegations of sexual harassment against Mbenenge expected to resume
In May, the tribunal ruled in favour of having research associate at Wits University, Lisa Vetten, testify before it.
Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating the sexual harassment allegations against him. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating allegations of sexual harassment against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge is on Monday expected to resume in Sandton, Johannesburg.
In May, the tribunal ruled in favour of having research associate at Wits University, Lisa Vetten, testify before it.
Vetten is the final expert witness to be called, and she's expected to shed light on power dynamics and gender in the workplace, a recurring theme in the submissions before the tribunal.
The tribunal is probing Mbenenge’s conduct after high court secretary, Andiswa Mengo, accused the top judge of making unwanted sexual advances towards her between 2021 and 2022.
Earlier in 2025, Mengo testified in her evidence-in-chief that she was forced to tread carefully in her interactions with her senior.
Panel chairperson, retired Judge President Bernard Ngoepe, ruled that Vetten would be allowed to testify despite Mbenenge’s legal counsel arguing that her testimony may not be relevant or material.
"So, having considered the matter properly, we have the view that we should rather err on the side of caution. Rather allow evidence, even though there is argument about its relevance, allow it nevertheless to be given.
"We allow it to be given because we are confident that if it is irrelevant, we'll be able to hold accordingly at any time. Contrast that with a situation where you exclude evidence which might well be relevant and material."