Cliff is suing the company for R25 million following what he calls an “unfair dismissal”, following controversial comments he made on social media regarding racism.
EFF Deputy President, Floyd Shivambu said on Tuesday that Mpofu had a professional right and obligation to represent whomsoever approached and briefed him on any issue that related to law.
However, Shivambu said Cliff’s comments being justified on the basis of freedom of speech were “totally unacceptable”.
“The non-apology given by Gareth Cliff is noted but it does not change that his prompt reaction to the dehumanising and racist statements of Penny Sparrow was that she must be defended for freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is never absolute and beneficiaries of white racism in SA should never be used this right as justification of their racist utterances.”
The party reiterated that Mpofu’s representation of Cliff was a legal obligation to fulfill his professional duty as an advocate.
