On 9 August 2025, the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa announced a landmark sexual harassment policy aimed at strengthening the judiciary’s commitment to safe, respectful, and dignified working environments.
The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) described the policy as a historic step in safeguarding the integrity of the courts and protecting the dignity of all who serve within them. According to the OCJ, the policy reaffirms the judiciary’s unwavering commitment to the Constitutional values of human dignity, equality, and justice. It sends a clear message that sexual harassment will not be tolerated within the halls of justice.
The policy applies to judges, court staff, and anyone working in or with the courts. It adopts a zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment and sets out clear, confidential, and accessible reporting channels. It takes a victim-centred approach guided by confidentiality, accountability, respect, and compassion, and establishes fair and transparent procedures for addressing complaints while providing strong protections against retaliation. The judiciary has also committed to continuous awareness and training initiatives to ensure that all members of the judicial environment understand their rights and responsibilities.
This development comes against the backdrop of the ongoing Judicial Conduct Tribunal into Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge. His former secretary, Andiswa Mengo, has alleged repeated unwanted advances and the sending of explicit messages.
