Judge sorry his clandestine chats became a public spectacle

Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge said sorry to South Africans after his steamy WhatsApp messages with court secretary Andiswa Mengo became public. The senior judge felt embarrassed that his private conversations had turned into a national scandal. He spoke to the Judicial Conduct Tribunal at their Sandton hearing room during his ongoing misconduct investigation. Mbenenge faces accusations of making unwanted sexual advances toward Mengo from 2021 to 2022. The judge strongly denied these claims and insisted their relationship involved mutual flirtation.

Mbenenge refused to apologize for having the conversations but felt he owed the country an explanation. He told tribunal members that South Africans deserved an apology because they had been forced to read his embarrassing private messages. The judge expressed regret that secret chats had become a public show. He stressed his embarrassment came from citizens seeing the messages rather than having the conversations. Mbenenge said the whole situation had turned into something shameful for the nation.

The judge maintained his innocence throughout his testimony. He described his relationship with Mengo as consensually flirtatious rather than harassment. Officials continue examining whether his behavior crossed professional boundaries. The tribunal must decide if his actions violated judicial conduct rules. Court watchers remain focused on how this case might affect public trust.