MBOMBELA: The Legal Practice Council of South Africa (LPC) has appointed counsel to address delays in the disbarment of suspended Malalane lawyer Zietta Janse van Rensburg.

The matter was removed from the court roll last year after parties failed to comply with directives to file a Form B. This practice directive requires parties to agree on strict timeframes for filing outstanding affidavits and documents to ensure cases are ready for adjudication. Once filed, parties can approach the registrar to allocate a hearing date.

The LPC confirmed on Friday that it has complied, but alleges Janse van Rensburg has not. The LPC says the complexity of the matter and alleged delay tactics by Janse van Rensburg prompted the appointment of counsel to ensure the matter is set down.

Timeline of legal proceedings

The legal battle began in August 2023 when the LPC initiated proceedings to suspend Janse van Rensburg. She was suspended by the Mpumalanga High Court in February 2024. Judge Brian Mashile made the suspension order final in April 2024 and denied her application for leave to appeal.

In August 2024, an independent committee found Janse van Rensburg guilty of three counts of misconduct at an LPC hearing she did not attend. The LPC subsequently confirmed it would approach the High Court to apply for her disbarment.

Janse van Rensburg filed an urgent application in March 2025 to strike out excerpts from the LPC’s founding affidavit relating to allegations of theft and fraud, labelling them scandalous, vexatious and irrelevant. Acting Judge Kgama Shai dismissed the application, ruling the matter lacked urgency and stating these arguments should be heard during the main disbarment hearing.

Also read: Courtroom cat-and-mouse continues in Janse van Rensburg disbarment saga

Last-minute filings derail hearing

The disbarment case was placed on the unopposed roll in April 2025 after Janse van Rensburg failed to file opposing papers. The matter was removed from the roll when she filed an opposing affidavit and a Rule 35(12) notice at the last minute. This allows a party to inspect documents referred to in an opponent’s pleadings.

The LPC subsequently referred the matter for case management to avoid further postponements. The strike-off application was set for October 2025, on condition that a signed Form B was filed by September 30. This did not happen.

The process remained stalled, and in February this year, the LPC confirmed it was awaiting an advocate to finalise the papers. On Friday, the LPC stated that despite numerous requests, Janse van Rensburg had not filed the Form B. The council intends to file replying affidavits addressing this non-compliance and have the matter reinstated. The LPC confirmed Janse van Rensburg remains suspended until the court rules on the strike-off application.