The South African Legal Practice Council has formally requested the Pretoria High Court to remove former public protector and politician Busisiwe Mkhwebane from the advocates' roll, citing severe character defects that undermine her role as an officer of the court.

The council's application alleges Mkhwebane failed to uphold ethical standards, including dishonesty, failure to respond to official correspondence, and making misleading statements.

These allegations stem from findings by a section 194 committee which investigated her suitability for the public protector role in 2023, uncovering misconduct and incompetence.

Mkhwebane, who was admitted as an advocate in 1997 but is now listed as a non-practising advocate, disputes the claims, calling them politically motivated and accusing the council of unfair processes.She argues her removal from the roll is unjust given her lack of current legal practice and absence from key proceedings.The case highlights ongoing tensions between legal professionals and political figures in South Africa's post-apartheid judiciary.