An emotional 2 days for High Court Secretary, Andiswa Mengo who accuses Judge President Mbenenge of sexual harassment, as she relives in-person encounters between her and Mbenenge.
This specific encounter is said to have happened in November 2022. Mengo alleges that on that day, Mbenenge summoned her into his chambers, where he allegedly made a comment about the “effect” she had on him while referring to a bulge to the front of his pants. She further testified that Mbenenge then proceeded to ask her to perform oral sex on him. Mengo said that in shock, she hurriedly exited Mbenenge’s chambers.
It was this particular encounter that then led Mengo to finally file a formal complaint in January 2023. In her testimony, Mengo makes mention of other witnesses as she says that she did make the situation known to her colleagues and reported to other judges at work.
Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, as expected, did not make it any easier for Mengo, as he harshly cross-examined her during today’s proceedings. Sikhakhane is part of the respondent, Mbenenge’s legal team.

During the cross-examination, Sikhakhane implied that Mengo omitted certain evidence, to portray herself as a victim. Muzi also accuses Mengo of failing to communicate clearly to Mbenenge that his advances were not welcome, instead, she responds encouragingly to his behaviour.
Sikhakhane further lets it know that he does not dispute the sexual interactions between the despondent and the complaint, however, he argues that they were consensual.
In her defense, Mengo says that the council must remember that Mbenenge is a powerful man. A man who is in charge of a whole province of judges, hence harshly saying no was difficult for her. She was always concerned for her job as no one was ever going to believe her if she came out with her story, because of the influence Mbenenge had.
Mengo says that this alleged sexual harassment affected her work, social life, and mental health as she no longer enjoyed her job.
The sit down for testimonies was scheduled from the 13th to the 24 of January 2025. As days progressed, it seems as though Mbenenge will not testify just as yet, but rather in May, and that is if the hearing is postponed. So long, we wait.