South Africa’s Labour Court grants an interim interdict blocking Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela from proceeding with steps to scrap and readvertise the chief executive role at the National Skills Fund (NSF). The order stops the process from moving forward while the matter is reviewed further.

Dr Innocent Sirovha, the incumbent CEO whose appointment is at the centre of the dispute, argues that the minister’s actions are politically motivated and aimed at stopping him despite his recommendation for the post. The outlets also report that the interdict remains effective until the Labour Court reaches a final decision on Sirovha’s substantive review application.

The coverage focuses on the court’s immediate effect—keeping the interim order in place—and on the competing positions. Manamela’s move is described as an attempt to restart the recruitment for the CEO role, while Sirovha frames it as interference with a candidate he says was already recommended.