Cape Town – Head of EyeWitnessNews, Gasant Abarder, has been appointed as the new Cape Times editor following the dismissal of Alide Dasnois.

Mail & Guardian reported that the former Cape Argus (also an Independent Newspapers group publication) editor will head up the Cape Times after Dasnois was removed by the group’s controlling shareholder, Sekunjalo Consortium.

An internal staff memo welcomed Abarder back to the group and wished him the best for his new role.

The reason for Dasnois’ dismissal was unclear but it coincided with the Cape Times having published a front page article on public protector Thuli madonsela’s findings which implicated Sekunjalo Consortium in an R800m tender irregularity with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

Dasnois was apparently offered a different position within the company but told the Mail & Guardian that she was seeking legal advice.

– News24