Mbenenge Denies Unwanted Sexual Allegations

(The Post News)- The Judicial Conduct Tribunal probing sexual harassment allegations against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge continues today. Yesterday Mbenenge testified before the tribunal; he denies that he sexually harassed a court secretary, Andiswa Mengo. He says he was interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with Mengo, and his WhatsApp messages with Mengo show “flirtation.”

Mengo lodged complaints of sexual harassment against Mbenenge in December 2022. She claims that Mbenenge sexually harassed her in a few unwanted sexual messages on WhatsApp. Amongst other things, she alleged Mbenenge sent his private part and had asked her for oral sex in his chambers.

On Monday, 7 July, Mbenenge told the tribunal that Mengo’s complaints are a smear campaign. Noting that he has been labelled a “sex pest.” Although Mengo had told the tribunal that Mbenenge sent her a picture of his private parts, he denies that he had sent the picture and that he asked for oral sex in his chambers.

Mbenenge says he interpreted Mengo’s response as someone who was happy with the conversation they had. He says he interpreted the emoji of a monkey covering its eyes, which Mengo sent to him, as “Ukumtsa,” which was explained by the Xhosa interpreter as “when you show interest in a lady, they don’t look you in the eye, and that is flirtation.”

Mbenenge claimed that the conversations with Mengo were consensual and involved discussions about sexual preferences. He further stated that they agreed to delate their conversations, but instead, they were shared publicly, causing embarrassment. He emphasized that as consenting adults, they had agreed to keep the conversations private.

The Judicial Tribunal misconduct inquiry is chaired by a retired judge, Bernard Ngoepe, who had suggested that the proceedings of the tribunal should not be publicised, citing, amongst other things, that it would bring the judiciary into “disrepute.” There have been a few moments since the beginning of this inquiry where explicit and intimate information involving sexual allegations has been revealed.