By: Rorisang Rampheteng
In a heated cross-examination before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal sitting in Sandton, Johannesburg, the Eastern Cape Judge President, Selby Mbenenge, has denied the sexual harassment allegations made against him.
Wrapping up a four-day tense evidence session with denials of misconduct and claims of consensual flirtation amid missing messages and disputed incidents, Mbenenge (64) accused evidence leader Advocate Salome Scheepers of conducting a “malicious” cross-examination.
The tribunal is probing serious allegations of sexual misconduct brought by High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo (37), who submitted that the senior judge had sent her a sexually explicit image, and later Mbenenge requested she return the favour.
Mbenenge said when he replied to the message, saying the picture looked delicious, it could be that he was referring to a couple engaging or cuddling. “When I say it looks delicious, it is because it could have been a picture of a couple engaging, cuddling, or a sensual picture, but not a private part.”
Evidence leader Advocate Salome Scheepers suggested it was likely that Mbenenge had sent a sexually explicit image (a penis photo).
Mbenenge challenged this, asking for the exact date and time. Scheepers said she couldn't provide that information because the messages had been deleted from his phone.
She added that Mengo, another witness, had testified that when she handed her phone to the police after receiving a death threat, it was returned with some messages and pictures missing.
Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, representing Mbenenge, objected to this line of questioning. He argued it was unfair and accused Scheepers of trying to reconstruct the case without solid evidence.
In response, Mbenenge called the process “malicious,” a word he would repeat several times during cross-examination. He also claimed that much of what Scheepers was presenting was not fact but rather argument.
Earlier, Mengo testified that she had posted one of the explicit images allegedly sent by Mbenenge to her WhatsApp status as a way of calling for help. She captioned it, stating that the image came from a married man with adult children who held a leadership position.
The tribunal adjourned until 21 and 22 October 2025 for oral arguments.
