The Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating sexual harassment allegations against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge is set to resume this morning in Sandton, Johannesburg, with a key decision pending on whether a gender expert will be allowed to testify.
Yesterday, evidence leader Advocate Salome Scheepers indicated she was not ready to close her case and sought to call a gender expert to address power dynamics in the workplace. However, Mbenenge’s legal team objected, arguing that introducing new testimony at this stage could prejudice their client.
The tribunal’s ruling, expected when proceedings begin at 9:30 a.m., will determine whether the judge president takes the stand today or if further testimony will be heard. Advocate Scheepers maintains that a gender expert’s expertise is crucial to understanding the alleged harassment involving a junior staffer, while Mbenenge’s defense insists on proceeding without delay.
It was noted that the outcome could significantly impact the case’s trajectory, with broader implications for workplace harassment proceedings in the judiciary.
