LIVE: Gareth Cliff vs M-Net
Radio and TV personality Gareth Cliff is at the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, for his urgent application against M-Net.
Cliff is demanding to be reinstated as an Idols SA judge, with auditions for season 12 set to commence at the end of January.
M-Net parted way with Cliff after he was criticised for weighing on the racism debate following the racial remarks made by estate agent Penny Sparrow on social media.
Cliff said he would sue M-Net for R25 million for wrongful dismissal and defamation of character if the broadcaster did not reinstate him.
In their answering affidavit, M-Net said they stood by their decision to terminate its relationship with Cliff.
"We are firmly of the view that this decision was the correct one for Idols SA and M-Net. The statements made by Cliff demonstrated a clear lack of empathy for the history of South Africa and M-Net did not wish to participate in fuelling further racially based divisions in the country," it said.
Follow the court proceedings here:
(File photo: Gallo Images)