Judge Selby Mbenenge appearing before tribunal is positive - Judges Matter

Bongani Bingwa speaks with Mbekezeli Benjamin, a researcher at Judges Matter and Kayan Leung, Head of the Gender Equality Programme at Lawyers for Human Rights.

Listen below.

Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge has been accused of sexual harassment and is being considered for impeachment.

He has been accused of sending inappropriate WhatsApp messages and ‘crude pictures’ to his secretary, Andiswa Mengo.

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Mengo testified about the power imbalance in the workplace and said she was afraid there would be repercussions to her career when the judge president made inappropriate advances.

Benjamin says the information that has come out in the last three days of the tribunal is shocking.

He adds that this is an important process to ensure the judiciary is held accountable.

“The integrity of the judiciary is at stake.”

- Mbekezeli Benjamin, Researcher - Judges Matter

Benjamin says bringing Mbenenge, the most senior judge in the Eastern Cape, before the tribunal should be seen as a positive.

Leung says it would be difficult to prove that there was consensual sexual conduct between Mbenenge and Mengo as there is such a clear power imbalance.

Judges Matter has called for Mbenenge to step down.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.