Zietta Janse van Rensburg has once again evaded a court hearing related to her disbarment, scheduled for Monday, October 27, by failing to comply with a directive previously issued by the Mpumalanga High Court.

The suspended attorney has been engaged in a protracted legal cat-and-mouse game with the Legal Practice Council (LPC) for several months. On April 14, proceedings to have her struck off the roll were derailed due to her failure to submit opposing court papers within the required timeframe.

Although she filed a notice to oppose the application, she failed to submit an accompanying affidavit contesting the matter.

Outstanding procedural issues

In an attempt to prevent further delays, the matter was referred for case management. However, as co-operation from Janse van Rensburg remained lacking, the LPC approached the court to intervene.

A court order issued on April 29 directed the following:

• A hearing be set for August 11.
• A Form B had to be signed and lodged with the registrar’s office by May 12.
• All outstanding procedural issues were to be resolved ahead of the court date in accordance with Form B requirements.

Form B is a standard high court document that confirms all parties have complied with procedural rules and that the case is ready for trial.

However, when the court roll for the week commencing August 11 was published, the LPC’s application against Janse van Rensburg was notably absent.

In an email dated August 5 to Thembeka Ratshibvumo, the LPC’s legal representative, Janse van Rensburg stated: “This is a matter of grave concern. The matter is not on the roll and thus will not legitimately appear before court on 11 August 2025. I emphasise that you are dominus litis in this matter. It is not my prerogative to advise you of any irregularities.”

The Latin phrase dominus litis refers to the party in control of the litigation – essentially, the ‘master of the suit’.

Form B deadline set

The matter was nonetheless enrolled for August 11. During proceedings, Judge President Segopotje Sheila Mphahlele and Acting Judge Beauty Madavha were informed by the LPC that Janse van Rensburg had failed to comply with the requirements surrounding Form B.

Mphahlele asked Janse van Rensburg whether she wished to apologise for not responding to the LPC’s letter. “I apologise, my lady,” she replied. “I also want to thank you for restoring discipline in this court.”

Mphahlele ordered that the matter be removed from the roll and set a new hearing date of October 27, contingent on a properly signed Form B being filed no later than September 30.

Still no Form B compliance

When Lowvelder enquired why the disbarment case had not appeared on the court roll for October 27, LPC spokesperson Kabelo Letebele confirmed that Janse van Rensburg had again failed to comply with the Form B directive.

“The council will be approaching the court on her failure to do so,” Letebele stated. “Parties are continuing to engage with the documents before the court in preparation for the strike-off application hearing, which will be scheduled once all procedural issues have been resolved.”

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.