JSC to put final nail in the coffin regarding Mbenenge tribunal report

Judges Matter believes the Judicial Conduct Tribunal report clearing Eastern Judge President Selby Mbenenge of sexual harassment allegations is not the end of the road.

Mbenenge has been on special leave since early 2024, following allegations that he sexually harassed a junior secretary at the court, Andiswa Mengo.

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal probed allegations that the senior judge had sent her inappropriate and explicit WhatsApp messages between 2021 and 2022.

The tribunal found Mbenenge guilty of a degree of misconduct and not gross misconduct, and sexual harassment.

He was also found guilty of breaching the code of judicial conduct and inappropriate conduct for a judge.

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It found that he acted improperly by having a flirtatious relationship with a junior employee.

The tribunal said after careful analysis of her allegations, Mengo's credibility was severely compromised because she had clearly lied about some issues.

The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) is set to consider whether to endorse or reject the tribunal's report.

Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter Mbekezeli Benjamin.

“The JSC sitting without the members of Parliament. It will only be the judges and lawyers, who will consider the tribunal’s report, the statement from the judge and the complainant and then they will make the final decision on the guilt or otherwise of the judge.”