Gareth Cliff Wins Court Case Against M-Net

JOHANNESBURG – The High Court in Johannesburg ruled on Friday that Gareth Cliff must be reinstated as a judge on Idols with immediate effect.

Cliff had been dismissed from the show after being drawn into the Penny Sparrow controversy. After Sparrow’s “monkeys” remark, Cliff had reportedly retweeted a poll on Twitter that asked whether racist social media posts like Sparrow’s should be criminalized. Cliff added with his retweet, “People really don’t understand free speech at all”.

The tweet led to further debate on whether it was racist or not. Cliff publicly apologised but M-Net fired him nonetheless‚ saying he was not a racist but should have demonstrated greater empathy.

Today Judge Caroline Nicholls is quoted in the local press, saying: “This is a contractual dispute. The contractual relationship has to be reinstated to what it was. M-Net will pay costs to Gareth Cliff.”

Cliff is also suing M-Net for R25 million for defamation of character and breach of contract.

Idols’ auditions will begin this weekend in Durban.

Cliff was represented in court on Tuesday by Economic Freedom Fighter lawyer and national chairperson Dali Mpofu.

After today’s decision, Cliff tweeted the photo above, saying: “Thanks to this amazing team; and to YOU for your support ? G”.