Top judge in the dock

HARASSMENT: ACCUSER TELLS HOW SHE FOUND PIC REQUEST REPUGNANT

- Faizel Patel

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal into a sexual harassment complaint against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge yesterday heard how his accuser found his requests for pictures "annoying" and felt he was trying to force her to send them.

The hearings began on Monday at the Southern Sun Hotel Rosebank in Joburg.

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

The investigation arose from a sexual harassment complaint lodged against him between 2021 and 2022 by Andiswa Mengo, who works as a judge's secretary in the Eastern Cape High Court.

In her complaint against Mbenenge, Mengo stated that his suggestive advances were unwelcome. However, Mbenenge, who has since been placed on special leave, argues the interactions between the duo were consensual.

Tribunal evidence leader Salome Scheepers argued that there was a "common thread" in WhatsApp messages exchanged between Mbenenge and Mengo, with the conversation being one-sided and always initiated by the judge president.

Testifying through an isiXhosa interpreter, the 37-year-old single mother said Mbenenge sent an "eye" emoji while she was still in the "hmm" moment.