Emoji’s used by Judge Mbenenge in texts to Mengo scrutinised

A forensic and legal linguist analysing text messages between Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge and Judges’ Secretary Andiswa Mengo found that the exchanges started off in a professional manner but slowly degenerated with the use of emojis to “convey sexual acts”.

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal probing sexual harassment allegations against Mbenenge is continuing with expert testimony.

Dr Zakeera Docrat, who seeks to provide the meaning and context of the emojis used in the exchanges between Mengo and Mbenenge, made the following observation on the tone of the texts between the pair.

“It started off from the text messages right at the beginning in a very professional, courteous, respectful manner. Sometimes on specific days, that’s how most of the days started, with a work-related discussion or in a respectful tone and manner and then it slowly degenerated where emojis were used to either convey sexual acts or indicate sexual emojis, how emojis were used for a sexual nature, in a sense.”

[GRAPHIC CONTENT] Judicial Conduct Tribunal Hearing for Judge President Mbenenge | 06 May 2025