The Eastern Cape judge president denied sending nude photos and argued that text message exchanges with his accuser, Andiswa Mengo, reflected mutual interest, not harassment

The defence focused on challenging the sexual harassment allegations, arguing Selby Mbenenge’s interactions with former court secretary Andiswa Mengo were consensual

Zintle Nkqayi worked as Mbenenge’s secretary from 2020 until she resigned in April 2025, citing bad treatment by colleagues who supported his sexual harassment accuser, Andiswa Mengo

Mbenenge’s counsel Muzi Sikhakhane said his sexual harassment accuser Andiswa Mengo did not fit gender expert Lisa Vetten’s description of a woman who could not stand up for herself

Judge Nathan Erasmus said online harassment threatened trust in South Africa’s justice system and caused ‘suspicion’

Lourentia Lombaard irks the judge with her ‘assumptions’, while Kelly Smith is again portrayed as a callous mother

Judge Nathan Erasmus said this was not the first time Lorentia Lombaard became unwell ‘when it came to crunch time’