Mbenenge's lawyers deem his conduct towards the complainant 'inelegant'

Lawyers representing Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge in his sexual harassment hearing have reduced his conduct to an "inelegant courting style".

Arguments are currently being made in the tribunal investigating his conduct.

Mbenenge is accused of making unwanted sexual advances on High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo between 2021 and 2022. If found guilty of sexual harassment, Mbenenge stands to be impeached as a judge.

Arguing on behalf of Judge President Selby Mbenenge, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane said that while the Judge President pursued a romantic, flirtatious relationship with court secretary Andiswa Mengo, he cannot be punished for it.

He denied that his advances were unwanted, but conceded they "simply lacked elegance".

“…how can a judge do this? A senior judge must not do this, a senior judge must not court this way. But first you must find [out] before you reach whether anything he did was dishonourable. Of course, I find it inelegant. But this is not a competition of how best to court.”

Sikhakhane has accused Mengo of fabricating the facts.

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