Khadija Patel, editor of the Mail & Guardian, and deputy editor Beauregard Tromp, have announced they will be stepping down at the end of May.
In a statement published on the newspaper’s website, the newspaper said ‘both played an important role in bringing stability to the newsroom and in the process assembled one of the best newsrooms in South Africa’.
In the statement, Patel said that it had been a difficult and emotional decision.
Mail & Guardian CEO Hoosain Karjieker said of Patel: ‘Khadija brought an energy that had revitalised the newsroom with her pragmatic hands-on management style and approach, and we value her contribution immensely. We are sad to see her leave but at the same time wish her all the best with her future.’
The newspaper has been under financial pressure for some time and Patel had previously said it would struggle to pay April salaries.
The timing of the departure of two senior staff members, especially in the midst of the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, has raised eyebrows, with many wondering what has happened behind the scenes at the iconic newspaper.