Naspers group chairperson Koos Bekker told investors on Monday the abrupt departure of CEO Bob van Dijk followed a decision that after a decade in his position, he would eventually depart, and it was best just to cut the cord immediately.
Van Dijk is no longer CEO of Naspers and its consumer internet arm Prosus, effective immediately and by mutual agreement, the companies said in a brief statement on Monday.
Van Dijk has been at the helm of the group since 2014, overseeing the unbundling of Prosus and its separate listing in Amsterdam, and also more recently the winding up of a complex cross-holding structure, which also concluded on Monday. The much-criticised structure was put in place under Van Dijk's leadership.