One of Mpumalanga’s most celebrated lawyers, Mandla Macbeth Ncongwane, has mounted a legal fightback after a devastating court ruling struck his name from the roll of legal practitioners – his next battleground is the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Ncongwane, popularly known only by his second name, Macbeth, has long been a towering figure in the province’s legal terrain as director of his firm, Macbeth Attorneys Incorporated.
For years, he has represented high-profile clients, advised the provincial government, and offered expert legal analysis in the media.
The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria ruled on May 22 and 23, that he be permanently removed from the roll.
The judgment followed a drawn-out legal tussle between Ncongwane and the Legal Practice Council (LPC).
In the scathing ruling, judges held nothing back in stripping Ncongwane of his right to practice. The court appointed a curator to take over all trust accounts linked to his practice and begin the process of winding it down.
Ncongwane was further prohibited from handling client funds or occupying any fiduciary position, including roles as executor, trustee or curator.
The curator was empowered to recover trust monies, determine creditor claims, and institute legal proceedings where necessary.
The court also ruled that the cost of the entire application, including proceedings dating back to July 2017 and November 2024, be paid by Ncongwane and his co-respondent, Macbeth Attorneys Incorporated.
Lawyers in Mbombela expressed shock at how the matter was handled. Some questioned why the Gauteng office of the LPC dealt with the matter instead of Mpumalanga.
“We understand that the LPC must act, but it is strange how this was done,” said an advocate who worked closely with Ncongwane.
“Their jurisdiction is questionable, but what we know is that Macbeth will challenge the matter at the relevant fora, including the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.”
The LPC has since confirmed the appeal, which automatically suspends the execution of the court’s decision.
“Our attorneys received communication from Mr Ncongwane that he will be appealing the court order handed down on 22 and 23 May 2025, in which his name was struck from the roll of legal practitioners,” said LPC spokesperson Lehlogonolo Molefe.
“The effect of an appeal will be to suspend the implementation of the court order. Ncongwane has been suspended from practicing since 17 July 2024, and he will remain suspended.”
Molefe said the ruling should serve as a cautionary tale to legal practitioners across the country.
“The striking off of a legal practitioner’s name from the roll is an ultimate sanction and serves as a deterrent to all other legal practitioners not to act in a dishonest manner.”
When asked for comment, Ncongwane declined, citing the sensitivity of the matter and legal restraint.
“I’ll have to consult my legal counsel next week, as this case is too sensitive for me to just speak my mind openly,” he told Sunday World.
Whether the appeal will succeed remains to be seen. But for now, the man once known as the legal voice of Mpumalanga stands at a crossroads – fighting to reclaim his place in the courtroom.
