Mbenenge requested meeting with Mengo after she posted their exchanges, tribunal told
Staff at the Eastern Cape division of the High Court have testified that they became concerned after Mengo publicised the allegedly explicit messages for all to see on her WhatsApp status in 2022.
Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating the sexual harassment allegations against him. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Staff at the Eastern Cape division of the High Court have testified that Judge President Selby Mbenenge requested to have a meeting with High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo after she published their exchanges on her WhatsApp status.
The colleagues became concerned after Mengo publicised the allegedly explicit messages for all to see in 2022.
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She later laid an official sexual harassment complaint in 2023, accusing the top judge of making unwanted sexual advances towards her.
The Judicial Conduct Tribunal sitting in Sandton, Johannesburg, is investigating these claims in a first-ever probe of this nature.
In 2022, Mengo took to social media platform, WhatsApp and plastered the allegedly heaty interactions she had with Mbenenge on her status.
Their colleagues caught sight of the interactions, sparking worry within the division.
The jJudge secretary at the Mthatha High Court and friend to Mengo. Abongile Tshete, was among those who saw the exchanges.
“To me, it was difficult because I would see a message from the JP, but then when I looked, I would notice that her responses are deleted and therefore, I was not able to make out what is the conversation about per se.”
Mengo indicated that she hoped that people would believe her after the exposure.
The splash allegedly caused Mbenenge great distress, who confided in Tshete.
“The reason behind him not being well is what Mengo did, posting these things that she has posted. Now this has become part of the public domain, and it’s affecting his health.”
Mbenenge allegedly requested a meeting with Mengo through her friend in a venue chosen by her and with the company of those she would feel comfortable around.
However, she indicated that she was not ready, and the meeting never took place.