High Court declares PIC CEO Patrick Dlamini's suspension unlawful

The High Court has declared the suspension of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) Chief Executive Officer Patrick Dlamini unlawful and invalid, delivering a significant legal victory for the embattled executive.

In its judgment, the court found that the precautionary suspension notice issued to the applicant on 13 July 2026 was unlawful, invalid and of no force or effect.

"The suspension of the Applicant was unlawful, invalid, and of no force or effect," the court said in its conclusion.

As part of its order, the court set aside the applicant's suspension as CEO of the PIC, effectively paving the way for the executive's return to office.

The court also dismissed two intervention applications. An application by Mr Jabu Happy Moche was rejected, while Public Interest South Africa's bid to be admitted as amicus curiae (friend of the court) and as a co-respondent was also dismissed after the court found the applications lacked merit.

In addition, the court ordered the first and second respondents to jointly and severally pay the costs of the application, including the costs of two counsel on Scale C.