By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Legal Practice Council (LPC) says the disbarred lawyer Malesela Teffo remains struck from the roll of advocates, and his readmission has not been considered.
This follows his recent acquittal on six disciplinary charges, the LPC states that this clearance does not automatically restore his status; his disbarment stands until a court formally orders his reinstatement.
The LPC spokesperson Kabelo Letebele said, “the statutory body has noted with concern media reports suggesting that Malesela Teffo has been reinstated or readmitted to practice.”
“LPC wishes to categorically states that these reports are incorrect,” said Letebele.
According to the Letebele, any application for readmission must follow a careful process under the Legal Practice Act. The Council is required to assess whether an applicant is a fit and proper person to be allowed back into the profession.
Teffo was struck off the roll in September 2022 by the Pretoria High Court due to professional misconduct.
LPC received 22 complaints about Teffo’s behaviour between 2019 and 2021. What followed was an application filed in the Pretoria High Court asking for his suspension.
In reaching a decision, the Pretoria High Court underlined that a legal practitioner is a member of a learned, respected and honourable profession, and by entering it he pledges himself to total and unquestionable integrity to the courts and the profession.
The court further reiterated that the image and standing of the profession are judged by the conduct and reputation of all the members, and that to maintain this confidence all members the profession must exhibit qualities set out above at all times.
The judgment also indicated that Teffo misled the courts on a number of occasions; he was even contemptuous in a number of instances. The accused assaulted and intimidated members of the SAPS which resulted in an urgent interdict application prohibiting him from entering the premises of the SAPS.
The LPC is the statutory body responsible for regulating the legal profession in South Africa. Among its responsibilities are maintaining professional standards, investigating complaints against legal practitioners and instituting disciplinary proceedings where appropriate.
The LPC urged members of the public and the media to verify information about the status of legal practitioners through official Council channels before publishing or relying on unverified claims.
It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public and maintaining the integrity, independence and credibility of the legal profession in South Africa.