The Judicial Conduct Tribunal probing sexual harassment allegations against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge will continue Wednesday morning.

Mbenenge is accused of sexually harassing Judges’ Secretary Andiswa Mengo through in-person interactions and electronic communication between June 2021 and November 2022.

The top judge has spent the past two days denying allegations levelled against him.

He has now been placed under cross-examination.

Evidence leader, Advocate Salome Scheepers, first tested Mbenenge’s knowledge of his authority as head of the court in her cross-examination.

She also focused on his thoughts on the alleged relationship given his position as well as his marital status.

Mbenenge denies sending crude images

During his testmony yesterday, Mbenenge denied sending an image of his private parts to Mengo.

The tribunal previously heard from Mengo that she received an image of private parts allegedly from the top judge.

The top judge says the tribunal will sit until the cows come out as they will not see this alleged picture of the private parts.

“The situation is such that I have got to be explicit because there is this allegation she makes in the complaint. She took a screengrab. She explains when testifying what she saw. We will sit here until cows come out. We are not going to see this alleged picture of private parts with one standing on top of a cubicle and with white pubic hair such as his. I am at pains to have to talk about these things. The situation is such that I have got to be explicit because I have to defend myself.”

[GRAPHIC CONTENT]”We will sit here until cows come out, we are not going to see this alleged picture of private parts”: Judge Selby Mbenge says his relationship with his accuser, Andiswa Mengo, was not romantic

Tune into #UpdateAtNoon on @SAfmRadio at 12:00 for more #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/iyz6RGxWpp

— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) July 8, 2025

Mbenenge has also stated that his “relationship” Mengo was a flirtatious one that did not gravitate to a romantic relationship.

While the judge seemingly describes it as chats between two consenting adults, Mengo has previously testified that the alleged advances were unwanted.

He says he understood the exchanges to be flirtatious.

“It must be clear to all and sundry that this relationship never gravitated to a romantic relationship in the true sense. This relationship was a flirtatious relationship with all the levels of flirtation. Some at a low ebb, somewhere somehow, it’s deep, it borders on being romantic. But at the end of the day, as I indicated to you council, the intention was to have a romantic relationship with the complainant.”

Mbenenge also says says that he never sensed any discomfort from Mengo during their conversations.

[GRAPHIC CONTENT]
Judge president Mbenenge says he never sensed any discomfort from the complainant during their conversations. pic.twitter.com/B9LzI45rzG

— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 8, 2025