Expertise

Zolani Dhlamini is a Director in the Dispute Resolution practice group of Fairbridges, specialising in public and administrative law, constitutional and regulatory law and complex litigation involving public institutions. He was admitted as an attorney in 2021 and holds High Court appearance rights.

His practice includes advising on statutory interpretation, administrative decision making, public procurement, regulatory compliance and judicial review remedies. He has particular experience acting in matters involving the Public Finance Management Act, the Public Audit Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, as well as disputes concerning the exercise of public power and the constitutional and statutory functions of public bodies.

Zolani acts for private individuals, corporates, organs of state, Chapter 9 institutions, state owned enterprises and public pension funds. His experience includes urgent interdicts, legality reviews, procurement and audit disputes, asset forfeiture and restraint order proceedings and complex litigation arising from allegations of corruption and state capture.

Methodology

Zolani approaches disputes with a strong focus on the statutory framework, the decision making process under challenge and the practical consequences for the client. His experience in complex public-law and regulatory litigation enables him to identify the legal issues at the centre of a dispute, develop a clear litigation strategy and manage matters involving multiple parties, procedural challenges and significant financial or institutional consequences.

Signature Matters

• Acted for the Auditor General of South Africa in urgent interdict and legality review proceedings concerning a R300 billion accounting dispute with the Road Accident Fund, securing dismissal of the review.
• Secured the setting aside of a subpoena issued against the Auditor-General of South Africa and senior audit management, with the subsequent application for leave to appeal also dismissed.
• Acted for the Auditor General of South Africa in proceedings that resulted in a personal punitive costs order against a former National Lotteries Commission executive.
• Represented private entities in complex +/- R230 million litigation arising from state capture allegations, interest rate swaps and bond-churning transactions.
• Acted in PoCA asset forfeiture and restraint proceedings involving a R1.6 billion restraint cap and complex issues of material non-disclosure and company liquidation.
• Represented private entities in Eskom review proceedings concerning the recovery of more than R1.7 billion in payments linked to consultancy mandates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts (University of the Witwatersrand, 2014)
• Bachelor of Laws (University of the Witwatersrand, 2017)

Recognition

• Vice-Chancellor & Dean of Student Affairs Certificate for the Most Outstanding Student Leader in a Club, Society, and Organisation (University of the Witwatersrand, 2017)