LEGAL TURBULENCE: SAA group CEO recruitment drama takes a new turn as Seshibe withdraws court challenge
This doesn’t clear up the messy recruitment process for the country’s national carrier CEO position, but at least the board can continue.
On Friday, 16 October 2026, former acting group CEO of SAA, Matshela Seshibe, formally notified South African Airways' legal representatives of his withdrawal from his urgent high court application. Seshibe, who is currently on special leave, submitted the notice to Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, the airline's legal team, under case number 2026-252108. The withdrawal occurred after the matter was originally scheduled to be heard in the high court on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
Seshibe's attorneys, TGR Attorneys, had been instructed to withdraw the urgent application by their client. However, the firm clarified that this withdrawal should not be seen as an abandonment of the facts, concerns, or complaints raised by the client. Seshibe's position remains that he has been treated unfairly by South African Airways and that he maintains all rights, including the ability to initiate non-urgent legal actions.
South African Airways' corporate affairs chief, Mphilo Dlamini, confirmed that the recruitment process for the CEO position will continue as planned, with interim leadership currently held by chief legal officer Koekie Mbeki. Seshibe remains on special leave pending the resolution of the internal process.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
