Gareth Cliff to sue Mnet for R25 million
JOBURG - TV and radio personality, Gareth Cliff is reportedly suing Mnet for R25 million for wrongful dismissal after being fired from the Idols SA judging panel.
According to ENCA, Cliff also wants to be re-instated as an Idols SA judge and be part of the new season, which will start auditions in a few weeks time.
ENCA spoke to Cliff’s lawyer who confirmed the lawsuit and added that Cliff was also suing for defamation of character.
Mnet allegedly fired Cliff without conducting a proper hearing.
Cliff came under fire with the TV station after tweeting a response to comments made by estate agent, Penny Sparrow, which compared black people to monkeys.
Cliff put forward the suggestion that Sparrow’s comments could be constituted as “freedom of speech” rather than “hate speech”.
Cliff’s comments landed him in hot water with many South Africans who viewed his statements as racist and called for his position as an Idols SA judge to be revoked.
Also read “Racist” tweet lands Standard Bank employee in hot water
