EAST LONDON - Eastern Cape Judge President, Selby Mbenenge, insists his WhatsApp request for court secretary, Andiswa Mengo, to take off her top was not sexual harassment.
Mbenenge maintains the steamy exchange was fully consensual.
He also denies that Mengo tried to stop the salacious messages, saying she willingly participated.
Evidence leader, Salome Scheepers, examined Mbenenge at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal about sexual harassment allegations against him by questioning conversations started in June 2021.
He denies ever harassing or pressuring Mengo, insisting the conversations were consensual.
Mbenenge also denies sending explicit pictures of his penis to Mengo, though the messages suggest otherwise.
Proceedings on Wednesday were momentarily disrupted when a demonstrator barged in with a placard reading Justice for Mengo.
The tribunal continues on Thursday.