The University of South Africa v EdNews.Africa

Case: The University of South Africa v EdNews.Africa and Others (Case No. 192997/2026)

Court: Pretoria High Court

Date of hearing: 19 August 2026

Date of judgment: 20 August 2026

Judge: Collis J

Status: Finalised; Matter struck from the roll due to a lack of urgency, with attorney and client costs ordered against the Applicant

Last updated: 20 August 2026

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Overview: EdNews.Africa and journalist Edwin Naidu, the First and Second Respondents, opposed an urgent defamation interdict application brought against them by the University of South Africa (“UNISA“) in the Pretoria High Court.

In its application, which was instituted on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, UNISA sought, among others, a take-down order of certain reportage published on the EdNews.Africa website, and an order to restrain the First and Second Respondents from further reportage on certain matters in the midst of an alleged “ongoing governance crisis” at the University.

The First and Second Respondents opposed the urgent application, which they argued constituted a “gagging order”, on the following grounds:

1. The application was not urgent as the impugned articles have been online for over three weeks and other publications were also running the story;
2. No exceptional circumstances existed to ventilate the matter in urgent court;
3. The alleged harm would not be remedied by granting the relief that UNISA sought;
4. UNISA had failed to comply with the Uniform Rules of Court in bringing the application;
5. There was a reasonable inference that the application has been brought for an ulterior purpose;
6. The impugned statements were true and in the public interest, or they constituted reasonable publication; and
7. The requirements for an interim (and final) interdict had not been met.