Have you been following Judge President Mbenenge’s case? The details have been…interesting

by Nomonde Simelane

South African courts continue to be hard at work following the appearance of a few notable names and faces this past week. The focus is currently on Judge President Selby Mbenenge’s tribunal, this case has had mzansi clutching onto their pearls as more details are revealed each day.

The Eastern Cape High Court Judge President Selby Mbenenge is currently facing a Judicial Conduct Tribunal hearing that is probing into sexual harassment allegations that have been made against him by Andiswa Meno. The story is a typical narrative that we have seen consistently where a professional relationship crosses certain boundaries and blurs lines for those involved, resulting in dire consequences.

Andiswa Meno, who served as JP Mbenenge’s secretary has accused the esteemed judge of sending unwarranted explicit images of his private parts, as well as some pornographic videos as well. As expected, the judge and his representative Muzi Sikhakhane have denied these allegations, citing the images in question were not of JP Mbenenge, claiming that he has never sent Andiswa any picture of any private parts.

During her testimony and gruelling cross-examination, Andiswa revealed that she had omitted to the court that she responded to JP Mbenenge in a compromising manner, putting into question whether she consented to the judge’s actions.

She also revealed that the judge requested that they spend an intimate weekend together, as well as demanded oral sex from her.

Muzi did not hold back when grilling Andiswa and adopted a stern approach when questioning Andiswa and has garnered much backlash for doing so, including Dr Mamphela Ramphele condemning the lawyer’s actions.

“I would like to call on the professionals in the legal and judicial system to urgently address this matter of our tolerance for human rights abuses of women and children by those meant to care for and protect them,” Dr Mamhpela writes.

This matter has had the country split as some have rushed to defend and empathise with Andiswa, citing their own experiences as well as the laws and policies that have been put in place to avoid such situations. These users believe Andiswa and regard JP as guilty, despite the matter still going on.

Some users have called for his resignation despite the court’s ruling, as the details that have been revealed are evidence enough that Selby cannot hold a position in that regard.

On the other hand, some users have come out in the Judge President’s defence, citing that Andiswa played along with the judge’s advances up until she realised she would not get what she wanted from the situation, dispelling her claim of sexual harassment.

Other users have expressed sympathy for Selby’s wife and children as well as his family as they have to be subjected to the cringy details of this questionable situation.

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