Gareth Cliff Suing M-Net for unfair dismissal

Gareth Cliff Suing M-Net for unfair dismissal

Gareth Cliff is suing M-Net for R25-million for wrongful dismissal after being axed from the Idols SA judging panel.

The radio DJ also wants to be reinstated as an Idols presenter and be part of the new season, kicking off in the next few weeks.

Idols SA judge Gareth Cliff is suing M-Net for R25-Million following his dismissal over comments he made about the Penny Sparrow race saga.

The controversial radio presenter was dismissed by M-Net earlier this month after he suggested in a tweet that people who made racist comments could not be criminally charged as it would be considered freedom of speech.

His comments came at a time when South Africans were reeling over a racist post by KwaZulu-Natal resident, Penny Sparrow, who referred to black beachgoers as “monkeys”.

Gareth admitted that his timing was wrong, but insisted he was not racist.

While some came to the DJ’s defence, many accused him of being racist and called for his dismissal which eventually happened on January 8, 2015.

Cliff’s lawyer, Eric Mabuza, confirmed to eNCA that his client was suing M-Net.

“He is suing for R25-million, including for defamation of character.”

Mabuza said the station had fired Cliff without having a “proper hearing”.