Judge President Mbenenge apologises for embarrassing chats

SEXUAL harassment complainant Andiswa Mengo was labelled to have “selective amnesia” by former Judge President Selby Mbenenge as he continued his testimony at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal yesterday.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

JP Mbenenge is accused of having engaged in untoward and sexually driven WhatsApp conversations between himself and Mengo over a period of time which he conceded were “flirtatious” and “deeply sensual” but defended himself saying these were consensual conversations.

Before proceedings concluded yesterday, JP Mbenenge confirmed that he had lodged a case of crimen injuria against Mengo which he said showed his commitment to dispute what he was alleged to have done.

This was coupled with an apology.

“It is embarrassing to me that clandestine chats between two adults came into the public domain. I regret that it happened and I can only apologise to South Africans insofar as they have become privy to embarrassing chats," said JP Mbenenge.

JP Mbenenge at length picked apart conversations that occurred between himself and Mengo which he alluded to have been selectively testified on by the sexual harassment complainant.

“A complaint which is laced up in lies, should not have seen the doors of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC). A complaint founded on lies should not be entertained,” he said.