A celebrity politician teaming up with a well-known broadcaster in a dispute over racism has South Africans on the edge of their seats.
Lawyer and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) chairman Dali Mpofu will represent television presenter and radio DJ Gareth Cliff in his R25 million claim against M-Net for unfair dismissal and defamation.
The TV channel fired him for failing to show “empathy” when he tweeted that freedom of speech meant that former estate agent Penny Sparrow had the right to say what she wanted. Sparrow had tweeted that black people on Durban beaches were like “monkeys”.
Cliff subsequently dissociated himself from Sparrow and apologised for his tweet. But M-Net fired him nonetheless‚ saying he was not a racist but should have demonstrated greater empathy.
Lawyer Eric Mabuza told Radio 702 that Mpofu had been appointed as the lead attorney‚ prompting a spate of comments that began trending on social media on Monday afternoon as South Africans expressed bemusement at the unlikely pairing.
“And then Gareth Cliff sues M-Net for R25 million AND gets Dali Mpofu to represent him? I feel so left out — when did all this happen??‚” Black Petrosexual @JustGinoSA wrote on Twitter.
Thembekile @ThembiMrototo tweeted: “EFF is supposedly opposed to all things white supremacy but Dali Mpofu will represent Gareth in fighting MNet?”
“Adv Dali Mpofu to represent Gareth Cliff....I could never have predicted this one...!‚” said Nhlanhla Cleo @Nhlanhla–Nguban.
South Africans were also trying to reconcile Mpofu’s career as a lawyer with his role as a politician.
Lelo @Lelo–Zililo commented‚ “I don’t understand why people are complaining Dali Mpofu is just doing his job!”
A post by Mzi ?@–mzi summed up the mood: “Dali Mpofu is representing Gareth Cliff what a time to be alive. I love this country”. – Tiso Black Star Group Digital
SA reacts to Mpofu, Cliff partnership
Lawyer and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) chairman Dali Mpofu will represent television presenter and radio DJ Gareth Cliff in his R25 million claim against M-Net for unfair dismissal and defamation.
The TV channel fired him for failing to show “empathy” when he tweeted that freedom of speech meant that former estate agent Penny Sparrow had the right to say what she wanted. Sparrow had tweeted that black people on Durban beaches were like “monkeys”.
Cliff subsequently dissociated himself from Sparrow and apologised for his tweet. But M-Net fired him nonetheless‚ saying he was not a racist but should have demonstrated greater empathy.
Lawyer Eric Mabuza told Radio 702 that Mpofu had been appointed as the lead attorney‚ prompting a spate of comments that began trending on social media on Monday afternoon as South Africans expressed bemusement at the unlikely pairing.
“And then Gareth Cliff sues M-Net for R25 million AND gets Dali Mpofu to represent him? I feel so left out — when did all this happen??‚” Black Petrosexual @JustGinoSA wrote on Twitter.
Thembekile @ThembiMrototo tweeted: “EFF is supposedly opposed to all things white supremacy but Dali Mpofu will represent Gareth in fighting MNet?”
“Adv Dali Mpofu to represent Gareth Cliff....I could never have predicted this one...!‚” said Nhlanhla Cleo @Nhlanhla–Nguban.
South Africans were also trying to reconcile Mpofu’s career as a lawyer with his role as a politician.
Lelo @Lelo–Zililo commented‚ “I don’t understand why people are complaining Dali Mpofu is just doing his job!”
A post by Mzi ?@–mzi summed up the mood: “Dali Mpofu is representing Gareth Cliff what a time to be alive. I love this country”. – Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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