Tribunal finds sexual harassment complaint against EC chairperson Mbenenge not an isolated case

JOHANNESBURG. The judicial tribunal heard how High Court Registrar Andiswa Mengo was told of similar incidents of alleged sexual harassment by Eastern Cape President Judge Selby Mbenenge.

Mengo said she was forced to leave the Eastern Cape and come to Gauteng, where she lodged a formal complaint with the office of the Chief Justice.

Mengo testified on the sixth day of hearings in the inquiry against the senior judge.

The junior staff member alleges that Mbenenge made unwanted sexual advances towards her between 2021 and 2022.

Mengo arrived in Gauteng on 6 December 2022 and proceeded to the Chief Justice’s office to file a formal complaint against Mbenenge.

Mengo said she was assisted in recording the affidavit and did not write it herself because of her emotional state.

Through an interpreter, Mengo said that when she arrived, she was told that her complaint was not an isolated incident.

“The person mentioned it and said you are not the first person to come here and talk about this same person.”

After writing the affidavit, she was assured that then Chief Justice Raymond Zondo was waiting for the affidavit and would receive it.

However, the complainant said she did not make a copy of the document after the process was completed on December 7, 2022.

But the court documents indicate that the complaint was filed on January 12, 2023.

Mengo provided the following explanation when investigating the discrepancies.

“I got a call from Kutlwano saying my complaint was inappropriate.”

As a result, Mengo said she was forced to withdraw another affidavit, but assured that the substance of the complaint remained the same.

The tribunal adjourned for the day.

The matter is expected to be further explored when hearings resume on Tuesday.