Dali Mpofu Challenges LPC Charges Alleging Racist and Political Campaign to Tarnish His Reputation

In filing an application with the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, Advocate Dali Mpofu claimed that The Legal Practice Council (LPC) brought charges that were baseless, frivolous, and part of a racist or right-wing campaign to tarnish his name and professional standing.

Mpofu was responding to charges brought before the LPC by the Council for the Advancement of the SA Constitution (CASAC), relating to alleged breaches of the code of conduct for legal practitioners. While some of the original seven charges have been dropped, Mpofu now seeks to have the remaining four professional misconduct charges set aside.

The LPC's spokesperson, Kabelo Letebele, confirmed that the council intends to oppose Mpofu’s application, saying the executive committee had resolved to file a formal response.

Letebele declined to provide further comment.

The amended charge sheet alleged that Mpofu brought the legal profession into disrepute through his public statements and conduct in court, which was occasionally disruptive and disrespectful. Another charge claims he impugned the character of senior figures, including former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, during the parliamentary impeachment inquiry into Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

Mpofu has requested that a full bench of three judges hear the application, arguing that it raises matters of public importance.

In an affidavit, he said that in 2021 he was “mischievously” accused of crossing professional lines during proceedings before the Zondo Commission—a matter in which he was ultimately found not guilty by the LPC.

He also claimed that following the Zondo Commission proceedings, a former chairperson of the General Council made false and malicious statements about him, prompting him to file a complaint. Mpofu says these events have led to “a crusade and vendetta to vilify, crucify, and demoralise” him, culminating in the current misconduct charges.

Mpofu further alleged that CASAC, which he describes as a right-wing organisation, is the main complainant and has “habitually” litigated in a partisan way against some of his clients, including former president Jacob Zuma and Busisiwe Mkhwebane. He claims that this bias underpins the remaining charges.

He also contended that many of his detractors are politically motivated, seeking to harass him for representing controversial clients or for his political views.

While he does not know all the individuals behind the current disciplinary hearing, he maintains that the campaign is coordinated and aimed at undermining his professional reputation.

Mpofu argued that the charges are also legally unsustainable because they rely on rules of the code of conduct that only came into force in December 2023, after the alleged conduct occurred.

He stated that he will provide further legal and factual evidence in a supplementary affidavit once all relevant information is available.

“The evidence points to a coordinated campaign to tarnish my name and professional standing as a practitioner who represents unpopular causes,” Mpofu said, asserting that the effort was “doomed to fail.”

DAILY NEWS