Witness Details Explicit Exchanges in Sexual Harassment Tribunal Against Judge Mbenenge

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating allegations of sexual harassment against Judge President Selby Mbenenge continued today with testimony from witness Ntomboxolo Jobela — a secretary at the Gqeberha High Court.

Jobela, a colleague of complainant Andiswa Mengo, returned to the witness stand following her testimony on Thursday, where she recounted Mengo’s emotional disclosures about inappropriate WhatsApp messages she had received from Mbenenge.

Mengo had confided in Jobela about disturbing communications she allegedly received from Judge Mbenenge, including suggestive text messages and explicit images. Jobela told the tribunal that Mengo initially withheld the identity of the sender, only describing him as an older man and a judge, adding that it disturbed her because she was “in the same age group as the man’s children.”

Over time, Jobela said, Mengo shared more details — including a photo of a woman’s leg and shoe taken in what appeared to be an office. Recognizing the setting as Mbenenge’s chambers, Jobela confronted Mengo, who allegedly responded: “You don’t disappoint.”

Concerned by the nature of the messages and the setting, Jobela said she raised the matter with a senior judge, hoping to verify whether he was the individual in question. The judge denied any involvement.

Meanwhile, proceedings were briefly paused Thursday after Mbenenge’s counsel, Advocate Griffits Madonsela SC, requested time to consult before continuing cross-examination of Jobela.

Later in the day, another court secretary, Abongile Tshete, gave brief testimony confirming his appearance in CCTV footage captured in a court corridor — though his statement was not connected to the harassment allegations.

Judge Selby Mbenenge currently presides over the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court. The tribunal, which resumed earlier this week, is investigating serious accusations by Mengo, who claims she was subjected to multiple unwanted communications by the judge.

Earlier this week, forensic expert Francois Möller presented evidence retrieved from two smartphones — a Samsung S20 and Samsung A12 — belonging to Mbenenge and Mengo respectively. Additionally, Dr Zakeera Docrat, a legal linguist, testified that emojis sent by Mbenenge carried sexual connotations in their context.

The Tribunal proceedings are ongoing.

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{Source: IOL}

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