A senior judge faced tough questions about his steamy text messages with a court worker during a hearing in Johannesburg. Judge President Selby Mbenenge read out his WhatsApp chats with secretary Andiswa Mengo before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal. The judge admitted he asked the young woman to sleep with him. Officials are looking into claims that he sexually harassed her. Mengo says he made unwanted moves on her from 2021 to 2022.
The drama started when Mengo wanted to meet with her superior on June 20, 2021. Mbenenge jumped at the chance and suggested they have sex instead. The secretary shot back with a Bible verse in isiXhosa that clearly meant no. But the judge had a different take on her response. He told the tribunal he thought she just wanted to postpone any romantic activity.
Mbenenge claimed both of them had been flirty before in their messages. He said he believed Mengo was telling him they should just meet professionally rather than get physical. The judge insisted he backed off after her religious response and never pushed for intimacy again. The tribunal continues to examine whether his behavior crossed the line. Court officials must decide if his actions amount to sexual harassment.
The drama started when Mengo wanted to meet with her superior on June 20, 2021. Mbenenge jumped at the chance and suggested they have sex instead. The secretary shot back with a Bible verse in isiXhosa that clearly meant no. But the judge had a different take on her response. He told the tribunal he thought she just wanted to postpone any romantic activity.
Mbenenge claimed both of them had been flirty before in their messages. He said he believed Mengo was telling him they should just meet professionally rather than get physical. The judge insisted he backed off after her religious response and never pushed for intimacy again. The tribunal continues to examine whether his behavior crossed the line. Court officials must decide if his actions amount to sexual harassment.
