Mbenenge tells tribunal Mengo used endearing terms towards him
In one message, she referred to the senior judge by his clan name, which Mbenenge said made him feel warm.
Eastern Cape Judge President, Selby Mbenenge on the witness stand on 8 July 2025, detailing his relationship with his subordinate. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini / Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge has told the Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating allegations of sexual harassment against him that high court secretary, Andiswa Mengo, used endearing terms towards him.
On 20 June 2021, Mengo sent a text to the judge president on WhatsApp wishing him a Happy Father’s Day.
In this message, she referred to the senior judge by his clan name, which Mbenenge said made him feel warm.
The senior judge has accused Mengo of having selective amnesia for failing to disclose this in her official complaint.
READ: Mbenenge tells tribunal that his relationship with Mengo was mutually flirtatious
He was testifying before the fact-finding body on Tuesday, after Mengo accused him of making unwanted sexual advances towards her between 2021 and 2022.
"The time is 06:03. I wake up to a conversation initiated by the complainant. For the first time, I received ‘Happy Father’s Day’ from her. She refers to me as 'Jola'. Being called by clan name within the culture, and I’m not at all blowing culture out of proportion here, as some may think, the point of substance is that when somebody calls you by your clan name, it’s an endearment."
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