Gender expert Lisa Vetten to testify at Mbenenge hearing
The Judicial Conduct Tribunal, which is probing allegations of misconduct against Eastern Cape judge president Selby Mbenenge, has ruled that gender expert Dr Lisa Vetten can testify at the hearing.
High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo accused Mbenenge of making unwelcome sexual advances towards her nearly four years ago.
The tribunal, led by retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe, has heard evidence from various experts regarding the messages between Mbenenge and his accuser.
READ: Origins of Mbenenge’s ‘explicit image’ undetermined: Expert
Mbenenge's lawyer, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, questioned Vetten's testimony's relevance.
However, Ngoepe ruled that this aspect could be dealt with after Vetten’s evidence.
“Having considered the matter properly, we are of the view that we should rather err on the side of caution. Rather allow evidence, even though there is an argument about its relevance. Allow it, nevertheless, to be given because we are confident that if it is irrelevant, we will be able to hold accordingly at any time – even at the end of that particular evidence, we will say it is irrelevant and then we will put it aside.”
It was widely expected that Mbenenge would take the stand on Tuesday to give his side of the story.
The judge president has denied abusing his powers over Mengo and maintained that his relationship with her was consensual.
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