News24 reports that Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge will be tried by a Judicial Conduct Tribunal regarding his alleged sexual harassment of Makhanda High Court official Andiswa Mengo.

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) confirmed that the complaint had been referred to a Judicial Conduct Tribunal for further investigation. Mbenenge was not immediately recommended for suspension while the tribunal does its work, because the JSC deferred a decision on that matter. Instead, he sought special leave from Chief Justice Raymond Zondo from 4 December 2023 until next March. The JSC's decision came almost three months after the Judicial Conduct Committee recommended that a tribunal be constituted, after it found that Mengo had "a prima facie case, which, if substantiated, would likely result in a finding of gross misconduct" against Mbenenge. The law requires that the committee's recommendation be confirmed by the JSC. Zondo has to constitute the tribunal and provide the terms of reference. The tribunal will collect evidence, conduct a formal hearing, make findings of fact, and make a determination on the merits of the allegations brought against Mbenenge by Mengo. If the tribunal finds Mbenenge guilty of the charge brought against him, and the JSC accepts that finding, the judge president could face impeachment by Parliament and eventual removal from office.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ray Hartle at News24

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