Mbenenge says relationship with Mengo was flirtatious, not romantic

Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge says that his “relationship” with Judges’ Secretary Andiswa Mengo was a flirtatious one that did not gravitate to a romantic relationship.

The top Judge is currently going through the exchanges between him and Mengo documented in electronic communication before the Judicial Conduct Tribunal.

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

Mbenenge 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.”

Earlier, Mbenenge vehemently rejected allegations of indecent exposure and crude images sent to Mengo, labelling it as a “lie” designed to “shame him”.

“Let me just mention in passing, I know of judges who marry their secretaries in this country. Heavens did not fall. I don’t believe there was anything wrong,” says Mbenenge.