JOHANNESBURG - An advocacy group focused on the mistreatment of women has criticised the ruling on Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge.
A Judicial Conduct Tribunal cleared Mbenenge of sexual harassment and gross misconduct but found him guilty of misconduct.
But it concluded that he was guilty of a degree of misconduct, not amounting to gross misconduct.
The tribunal concluded that the Judge President initiated and conducted a flirtatious relationship with High Court secretary, Andiswa Mengo.
READ | EC Judge President Mbenenge cleared of gross misconduct
Wise4Afrika’s Brenda Madumise-Pajibo says this falls short on accountability.
“We need to really think about what this judgement says. We’re saying, you can be subjected to all of this, and the person will get a slap on the wrist because we don’t think it’s serious enough.
"The women in that division must think twice about whether they’re going to be reporting sexual harassment,” Madumise-Pajibo said.
She said the judgment was a missed opportunity to take a stand against sexual harassment in the workplace.
“The sexual harassment policy that the Judiciary has, is meaningless. This behaviour will continue and be justified and masked as culture.”