The Western Cape High Court turned down Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's application for leave to appeal the court's earlier decision which prevented her from immediately returning to her office.

The court also hit Mkhwebane with a personal costs order.

Along with the United Democratic Movement, African Transformation Movement and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, who backed her in the application, she has to pay the costs of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Democratic Alliance court fees.