Mbenenge says he's 'gone through a lot' since being accused of sexual harassment
The senior judge said there had been campaigns to have him suspended due to the claims that he made unwanted sexual advances towards high court secretary, Andiswa Mengo, between 2021 and 2022.
Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge took to the witness stand to detail his relationship with his subordinate, Andiswa Mengo on 7 July 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge said that he had found himself being presumed guilty after sexual harassment allegations were levelled against him.
The senior judge said there had been campaigns to have him suspended due to the claims that he made unwanted sexual advances towards high court secretary, Andiswa Mengo, between 2021 and 2022.
READ: Mbenenge tells tribunal he respects women
The judge president denied this and is attempting to discredit Mengo’s testimony as he relays the nature of his relationship with the junior staffer.
He was testifying before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal (JCT) in Sandton, Johannesburg in its misconduct probe against him.
Mbenenge said that he has had to endure a lot since the allegations of sexual harassment against him came to light.
While he has chosen not to include his family in his testimony, the senior judge said that he admitted his son as an attorney in October, as per tradition, but was met with criticism.
"Then I became the subject of media. I was criticised for going to court and the issue was: 'Who are you, lacking morals, to go to court?' So, I’ve gone through a lot. It was painful, but I think the advantage was that I had to find who 'mfanelo' really is."
Mbenenge said that in finding himself, he did not find a perfect person, but had been forced to embrace his imperfections.