Warning: This report contains details of a graphic nature and may be upsetting to viewers.

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal probing sexual harassment allegations against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge saw the complainant, Andiswa Mengo, reduced to tears during her testimony that the top judge allegedly asked her for sexually explicit images of her “private parts”.  This as the fact-finding body continues to comb through the WhatsApp messages that form part of the evidence before it.

As the first-ever sexual harassment probe in South Africa’s judiciary continues, evidence leader, Adv. Salome Scheepers took the tribunal through evidence that allegedly pointed to Judge President Selby Mbenenge persisting in requesting intimacy from Judges’ Secretary, Andiswa Mengo, despite Mengo rejecting these advances at least four (4) times.

Scheepers: So, now you actually wanted, you had the courage to say what you wanted to say, is that correct?

Mengo: That is correct.

Scheepers: Did the conversation stop after you said no ?

Mengo: It didn’t stop.

It didn’t end there, with the tribunal hearing further evidence that the top judge allegedly sent a text, asking Mengo to send him a sexually explicit image.

Mengo: He was referring to my private part.

Scheepers: Did you respond to that?

Mengo: No, I did not.

Mengo, who has previously testified that the alleged harassment was dehumanising and stripped her of her dignity, broke down in tears when probed on her “Jesus” response to a sexually explicit text during that leg of the exchanges.

Mengo: That response of mine, I had given it to a message of a private part that he had sent … may we adjourn for a few minutes chair (witness breaks down)

Mbenenge who denies sending the sexually explicit texts, is a senior judge within South Africa’s judiciary and occupies the most senior position within the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, where Mengo, a junior professional, occupied a role as a Judges’ Secretary.

The tribunal continues.

[GRAPHIC DETAILS] Judicial Conduct Tribunal | Mbenenge’s misconduct probe continues: