Possibly a relationship gone sour is how some South Africans are reading between the lines of the controversy between Eastern Cape High Court Judge President, Selby Mbenenge, and a secretary of the high court.
Claims of a request for oral sex, laughing emojis, Mbenenge’s private part being referred to as a python, and (being) on at oven temperature are just some of the racy exchanges that have allegedly happened between Andiswa Mengo, and Judge Mbenenge.
Mengo wants the Judge President held to account for allegedly sexually harassing her.
She has been testifying before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal since Monday.
She says she played along with the Judge’s sexual advances because she feared losing her job.
The mother of three has been a fodder for gossip for, sometimes, forgetting her replies to some of the Judge’s suggestive WhatsApp messages, while vividly remembering every text, picture and emoji Mbenenge sent, among others.
Andiswa remembers a lot of the deleted footage #Mbenenge sent but mysteriously forgets this one! The one she “wants” for control #MbenengeTribunal https://t.co/ze9DfDSF06 pic.twitter.com/x6xmZ0NGVO
— Sibz (@SibzSiba) January 16, 2025
Her explanations for some of her replies to Judge Mbenenge have also come under scrutiny with some social media users doubting the sincerity of her complaint.
Our complainant in the Mbenenge tribunal even asked the judge to do her school assignments🤨🤦🏽♂️😂😂 Bekujolwa mahn apha ayikho le
— Alunamda 🇿🇦 (@StiloMa77932773) January 17, 2025
mna if I were judge #mbenenge I’d come up and be upright about this relationship, and the times I slept with this lady. She is so evasive. I guess the question is what went wrong in this relationship, and who influenced her to lodge a complaint #MbenengeTribunal
— Sibo Maputi (@SiboMaputi) January 17, 2025
Judge President Selby Mbenenge is a pervert and a serial cheater.
That is immoral
But after listening to 2,5 days of the testimony of her accuser, Andiswa Mengo, I can safely say he committed no crime
The young lady is not being truthful in that commission. It’s not even… pic.twitter.com/9tQCCic9HL
— Constitution First 🇿🇦 (@Constitution_94) January 16, 2025
Other South Africans have, however, hailed Mengo for her courage.
a moment of silence for Andiswa Mengo’s bravery. Standing against a judge president is no small feat. The amount of times she must have talked herself out of reporting judge Mbenenge because victims always poke holes in the believability of their own stories before we even start.
— sikhalel’izwelethu 🇵🇸🇨🇩 (@ubomiabumanga_) January 14, 2025
I absolutely admire the guts that Andiswa Mengo has in this case of sexual harassment against Judge President Selby Mbenenge. A lot of us have let sexual harassment in the workplace by managers slide because of fear. To even agree for her testimony to be made public? Salute her
— Mysista_wa_SouthAfrica🇿🇦 (@NkagiM_) January 13, 2025
Mengo laid the complaint against Judge Mbenenge in 2021.
The matter has been adjourned to Monday, where Mengo will continue with her testimony in a fight she believes highlights the scourge of abuse and sexual harassment of women in the workplace.
The 63-year-old Mbenenge, known as a devout Christian, could be impeached and lose a lifetime salary as well as other perks should he be found guilty of misconduct.
Some believe the case should serve as a lesson to men. Written by Odirile Rabolao
Most men have lost immeasurable value to lust and temptation. Take Judge Mbenenge, for example—he dedicated his entire life to his work, only to have the consequences of his actions bring disgrace at the pinnacle of his career. Yho!
— TT (@thandotyali) January 17, 2025
LIVE STREAM: The Judicial Conduct Tribunal Hearing for Judge President Mbenenge – 17 January 2025, from 09h30
Direct Link – https://t.co/Mt5PjolpBe
Watch Live on the JudiciaryRSA YouTube channel – https://t.co/ev2o5nBoqn#ocj_rsa #JSC #Tribunal pic.twitter.com/ImEN3Gn62M— RSAJudiciary (@OCJ_RSA) January 17, 2025
Written by: Lindiwe Mabena
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