Johannesburg – Media personality Gareth Cliff’s controversial tweet drew a massive response and had created the impression that he supported former estate agent Penny Sparrow’s racist statement, the South Gauteng High Court heard on Tuesday.
“M-Net’s judgement (to fire Cliff) is based on the fact that his tweet elicited massive response, he had created an impression that he is racist, because he defended Sparrow’s statement. That was enough…because a perception was created and it was decided he should not be M-Net brand ambassador for Idols,” argued M-Net’s legal representative Advocate Wim Trengrove.
Read: Gareth Cliff case not about racism - Mpofu
“His view and conduct elicited widespread response from society, among large constituencies who regard him as racist…he had become a poster boy of racism, that is what he is associated with,” Trengrove said.
He added that M-Net would not be pleased with demonstrations against an Idols SA judge.
“Idols responded to public call that the show be boycotted…we cannot have Idols auditions accompanied by protests halls against ‘racist Idols’, my lady,” Trengrove said.
Trengrove then turned to Cliff’s contractual matter and said no contract existed between the parties.
“There was no contract, but even if there was, it would have been terminated within a week. He claims contractual rights…but there was no contract.”
Cliff was fired from Idols SA after tweeting about freedom of speech following former estate agent Penny Sparrow’s tweet calling black beachgoers in Durban monkeys.
He wants the court to halt the 2016 Idols SA auditions, scheduled to get underway at the end of the month, until he is reinstated or compensated R25 million for defamation and unlawful dismissal.
The case continues.
African News Agency
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