The Eastern Cape judge president denied sending nude photos and argued that text message exchanges with his accuser, Andiswa Mengo, reflected mutual interest, not harassment
The defence focused on challenging the sexual harassment allegations, arguing Selby Mbenenge’s interactions with former court secretary Andiswa Mengo were consensual
Zintle Nkqayi worked as Mbenenge’s secretary from 2020 until she resigned in April 2025, citing bad treatment by colleagues who supported his sexual harassment accuser, Andiswa Mengo
Mbenenge’s counsel Muzi Sikhakhane said his sexual harassment accuser Andiswa Mengo did not fit gender expert Lisa Vetten’s description of a woman who could not stand up for herself
Gender-based violence specialist Lisa Vetten tells a tribunal the complainant used ‘different strategies to communicate reluctance and unwillingness’
Experts say sexual harassment remains pervasive in South Africa’s legal system, especially among candidate attorneys and court secretaries
A dispute over gender expert Lisa Vetten’s testimony in judicial misconduct has forced the tribunal to postpone, allowing the respondent time to study the evidence summary report
This week’s testimony explored whether Mengo’s WhatsApp replies reflected the careful diplomacy women use to reject senior officials without risking their careers
An independent, rigorous process for investigating complaints of abuse of power of a sexual nature must be set up to provide guidance for tribunal investigations