JSC recommends Ramaphosa suspend Mbenenge over sexual harassment case

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been advised to suspend Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge after the Judicial Service Commission resolved that he should step aside while the National Assembly considers proceedings under Section 177 of the Constitution. The Judicial ServiceCommission (JSC) hasrecommended that PresidentCyril Ramaphosa suspendEastern Cape JudgePresident Selby Mbenengewhile Parliament considerswhether he shouldbe removed fromoffice following findingsof gross misconduct. The JSC announced the decision in a media statement on Monday.

It said that on July 7, 2026, the commission, excluding members designated by the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, met in terms of Section 20(1) of the Judicial Service Commission Act 9 of 1994 to consider written submissions on whether it should advise Ramaphosa to suspend Mbenenge under Section 177(3) of the Constitution. “At this meeting, the JSC resolved to advise the President to suspend Judge President Mbenenge from his duties pending the decision of the National Assembly as contemplated in Section 177 of the Constitution,” the statement said. The recommendation follows legal action launched by Mbenenge after the JSC found him guilty of gross misconduct and recommended his removal from office.

IOL previously reported thatMbenengeapproached the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria seeking an urgent interdict to halt the implementation of the JSC’s decisions. Court papers filed on June 5, 2026, show that Mbenenge instituted review proceedings against the JSC, the Judicial Conduct Tribunal (JCT), the Speaker of the National Assembly, the National Assembly, the president and junior court employee Andiswa Mengo.