Courtroom Drama
latest news & developments
Mbenenge says flirtatious texts with his accuser were sensual, not sexual
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
Judge president’s emoji expert disputes accuser’s claims
The defence focused on challenging the sexual harassment allegations, arguing Selby Mbenenge’s interactions with former court secretary Andiswa Mengo were consensual
Judge Selby Mbenenge’s former secretary says he was at the bank during alleged flashing incident
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…
Gender expert biased towards judge president Mbenenge, lawyer says
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…
Judge condemns cyberbullying as Joslin Smith kidnapping trial enters fifth week
Judge Nathan Erasmus said online harassment threatened trust in South Africa’s justice system and caused ‘suspicion’
Star witness continues to unravel on the stand in Joslin Smith trial
Lourentia Lombaard irks the judge with her ‘assumptions’, while Kelly Smith is again portrayed as a callous mother
Joslin Smith: State witness again falls ill during cross-examination drama
Judge Nathan Erasmus said this was not the first time Lorentia Lombaard became unwell ‘when it came to crunch time’