Mengo is 'liar' – counsel

MISCONDUCT: SECRETARY ASKED IF SHE WANTED FRIENDSHIP WITH JUDGE

- Vhahangwele Nemakonde & Faizel Patel

Eastern Cape judges' secretary Andiswa Mengo has admitted she had the opportunity to tell provincial Judge President Selby Mbenenge what kind of relationship she wanted from him.

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal began hearings last week in Johannesburg into Mengo's allegations of sexual harassment against Mbenenge.

If an adverse finding is made against Mbenenge, it could lead to his impeachment.

The investigation arises from a complaint of alleged sexual harassment between 2021 and 2022 lodged against him by Mengo.

Yesterday, advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, representing Mbenenge, asked Mengo about the WhatsApp messages she had sent to Mbenenge between 2021 and 2022, which she omitted from her statement of complaints.

In one of the texts, as read out by Sikhakhane, Mbenenge asked Mengo if she only wanted friendship from him, to which she responded with three laughing emojis, followed by: "There are no answers."

"You could have given him a straight answer on what you want and don't want," said Sikhakhane.