Mbenenge tells tribunal he respects women

JOHANNESBURG - Eastern Cape Judge President, Selby Mbenenge has told the Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating allegations of sexual harassment against him that he respects women.

Mbenenge was testifying before the fact-finding body as it continued its probe against him in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Monday.

The judge president is in the hot seat as he recounts the relationship that he had with high court secretary, Andiswa Mengo.

Mengo accuses the senior judge of making unwanted sexual advances towards her between 2021 and 2022.

Six months after the tribunal first sat to investigate the first-ever case of sexual harassment against a senior judge, Mbenenge took to the witness stand to detail his relationship with his subordinate.

Mbenenge fielded questions from his legal counsel, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane after he was accused of allegedly sending explicit and salacious messages to Mengo.

READ: Mbenenge tribunal: Use of emojis and their meaning takes centre stage

Sikhakhane said the senior judge has been labelled a ‘barbaric, sexist, misogynist’ as a result, to which Mbenenge gave the following response, “Those labels are hurtful. Women are as important as everybody else is. I respect men, I respect women. Because we are talking in the context of women, I value women. I am born of a woman. I was raised by a woman.”

Mbenenge further detailed his contribution to the advancement of women.

“I have appointed females to act in my division. I have encouraged secretaries to study law so much so that one person who was once upon a time my secretary, I encouraged her to study LLB. I am proud to say, at this moment she is practising as an advocate.”