Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge is set for tribunal trial, firstly High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo to testify regarding alleged harassment including instance of 2021 lewd texts.
The Johannesburg hearing deals with alleged serious misconduct against the senior judicial officer.
A judicial tribunal in Johannesburg is probing into allegations of harassment against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge With strong emotions High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo had to take breaks to hold back tears during her testimony.
Testifying on behalf of the evidence, Advocate Salome Scheepers walked Mengo through her timeline from events that happened in 2021 when she allegedly received unsolicited ‘talking’ from the senior judge. Interpreted from her, Mengo described how she received an explicit photograph from Judge Mbenenge who later demanded some back from her.
The tribunal heard that after receiving the explicit content, Mengo responded with a single word: “Jesus!” According to the testimony, Judge Mbenenge then sent a message at 23:02 in which they will make an undesirable remark on the image.
When such exchanges were read in the presence of the accused, Mengo could not go on with her testimony, and the court had to adjourn for short periods as she Composition herself.
Another area of focus of the probe involves a set of text messages that Judge Mbenenge reportedly sent to Mengo before deleting. More so, the conduct of this 63-year-old judge is in the news, as the tribunal considers these very grave accusations against one of the most senior members of the South African judiciary.
These are historical proceedings in South Africa in the doctrine of judicial affairs since they relate to cases of misconduct within this level of judiciary.
The potential ramifications of the tribunal’s decision remain not only for the leadership of the Eastern Cape High Court, but also for the methods that the entire judicial system uses to respond to harassment allegations.
The hearing goes on as more and more witnesses are expected to report issues of the said misconduct. Arising from the above enumerated complaints, the tribunal has the responsibility of establishing the merits of such complaints and make recommendations as regards the position of Judge Mbenenge on the bench.
This case shows continuous attempts at combating and eradicating harassment in the South African courts whilst at the same time prosecuting individuals at all tiers of the judicature.
