Mbenenge tribunal: Experts witnesses to further testify

JOHANNESBURG - The judicial conduct tribunal probing allegations of sexual harassment against Eastern Cape Judge President, Selby Mbenenge, will continue hearing testimonies from expert witnesses on Wednesday.

This marks the third day of hearings by the judicial body into the conduct of the judge president.

In 2023, High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo filed a complaint against the top judge, accusing him of making unwanted sexual advances towards her.

Now the probe into his conduct will investigate these claims in the first of ever matter in which a judge has been openly accused of sexual harassment.

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The judicial conduct tribunal has heard that High Court secretary, Mengo used laughing emojis to brush off Eastern Cape judge president, Mbenenge, when he initiated sexual conversations with her.

Forensic and legal linguist, Dr Zakeera Docrat said this was Mengo’s attempt to avoid the alleged explicit dialogue she was being drawn into.

"She was trying to change the tone of the conversation, change it into another direction," said Docrat.

But could this be seen to mean that Mengo agreed?

Mengo’s counsel, advocate Nasreen Rajab-Budlender probed Docrat on the matter.

"Would it be fair to say that sometimes that sequence of emojis could denote a discomfort on the part of the complainant," said Docrat.

Docrat stressed that there were no thumbs up, indicating that she was in agreement when she was allegedly sent the messages with sexual undertones.

She's expected back in the witness stand.