A judge's clerk accused Eastern Cape High Court Judge President Selby Mbenenge of sexual harassment, but her testimony revealed inconsistencies as she omitted to mention several of her own responses to the judge. The Judicial Conduct Tribunal is investigating the claims, with Mbenenge's legal team arguing that the exchanges were merely flirtatious.
Judge Selby Mbenenge during the tribunal proceedings on Thursday. Picture: Office of the Chief Justice/N MabuselaIn facing tough questions by counsel for Eastern Cape High Court Judge President Selby Mbenenge, a judge’s clerk who accused him of sexually harassing her, was repeatedly pointed to the fact that while she made damning allegations against him, she omitted to voice many of her responses to him.
Flirting is not an offence and it is not the business of the tribunal, Sikhakhane this week made clear. She, however, admitted during questioning by Sikhakhane that she remained mum about some of her own responses to the judge president during their conversations. She earlier testified that she was eventually so fed up with what she claimed was the sexual harassment, that she in December 2022 compiled an affidavit which contained her complaints.
The JCC may make a recommendation to the JSC that a complaint be investigated by a Judicial Conduct Tribunal.
SEXUALHARASSMENT JUDICIAL CONDUCT JUDGE LAWYER EVIDENCE
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