Women’s rights organisations call for end to sexual harassment in SA’s legal system

This comes after the Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge spent this week in cross examination before the judicial conduct tribunal in Sandton.

Multiple women’s rights organisations are calling for an end to what they’ve described as the culture of sexual harassment in South Africa’s legal system and society.

This comes after Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge spent this week in a cross-examination before the judicial conduct tribunal in Sandton.

The tribunal is investigating a sexual harassment complaint against him by high court secretary Andiswa Mengo.

She’s accused the top judge of making unwanted sexual advances towards her between 2021 and 2022.

The Masimanyane women’s rights organisation and the Ikhwelo network’s Eastern Cape branch have criticised Mbenege’s utterances during the tribunal — saying they further reinforce gender inequality.

The groups say the statements made by Mbenenge are misogynistic and patriarchal.

They have further criticised Mbenenge — accusing him of distorting cultural norms to qualify sexual misconduct on his part — like when he outlined that Mengo flirted with him by referring to him with his clan name — Jola.

The group has reiterated in its statement that culture cannot be a defence for workplace misconduct.