
Gareth Cliff acused of racism, Islamophobia - again!
Not for the first time, Gareth Cliff has been accused of sharing racist and Islamophobic views on social media.
The former shock jock became a trending topic after he indirectly criticised Zohran Mamdani, who has been shortlisted to become New York's first Muslim mayor.
Last year, the CliffCentral Founder was widely criticised after he called hijab-wearing Naledi Pandor a 'turd'.
On his X account, Gareth Cliff commented on news about New York's prospective first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
'Woe unto New York, once my favourite city in the world', he tweeted.
Mamdeni – a representative of the Democratic party – was born in Uganda and briefly lived in South Africa.
On X and TikTok, many South Africans reacted to Gareth Cliff's racial undertone.
@joeareington: 'Why? Is it because it now has a Muslim mayor?'
@nyusadafrika: 'You're really Islamophobic, dude. You have a phobia of anybody who is not your exact race, religion, and political beliefs/ For people to be right, they must be exactly like Gareth. Otherwise, something is wrong with them.
@thisisjbs: 'Just say you hate brown people.' @julian_fromtiktok Where was this Gareth on Piers Morgan. #mamdani #garethcliff ♬ original sound – julian_fromtiktok 🇿🇦
In November last year, Gareth Cliff courted controversy when he referred a hijab-wearing Naledi Pandor as a 'turd'.
In an Instagram Story, the podcast presenter posted a pic of the former minister of international relations wearing a brown headscarf, which she wore during a media briefing in Tehran. Gareth Cliff has defended his decision to insult minister Naledi Pandor. Images via Instagram: @grcliff
'When the best you can come up for Halloween is to dress up as a turd', he captioned the image.
After being accused of racism and Islamophobia, Gareth clapped back: 'To be clear, I don't care if you're upset or offended. Those are your problems to deal with. I'm not required to be polite or tiptoe around your emotional fragility.'
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
The Freedom Charter at 70: A vision betrayed by the ANC?
As South Africa marked the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter, leading voices in South Africa have raised concerns about the ideals enshrined in the nation's founding document, having been hollowed out, replaced by elite-driven agendas and systemic failures that threaten to undo the progress made in the liberation struggle. Seventy years ago, in the dusty streets of Kliptown, Soweto, the African National Congress (ANC) and its allies adopted the Freedom Charter - a bold , inclusive blueprint for a democratic South Africa rooted in the principles of equality, shared wealth, and social justice. The Charter was born from a comprehensive, cross-class, and cross-race consultative process. It embodies millions' hopes for a free, fair, and united nation. Today, as South Africa marks this significant milestone, critics argue that the ANC has drifted far from those foundational ideals, betraying the very values that inspired the struggle against apartheid. The Freedom Charter articulated a vision where 'the people shall share in the country's wealth,' land would be shared among those who work it, and poverty, unemployment, and inequality would be eliminated. It was more than a document; it was a rallying cry-a call for grassroots involvement, gender inclusivity, and racial unity. Its adoption in 1955 symbolised collective resistance, galvanising the fight against apartheid and laying the groundwork for the democratic Constitution of 1996. In the decades following democracy, the ANC claimed to be the custodian of the Charter's ideals. Yet, many South Africans now see a stark contrast between the lofty promises of 1955 and the reality of today's socio-economic landscape. Poverty persists, unemployment remains entrenched, and inequality is among the highest globally. The triple burden the Charter sought to eradicate continues unabated, raising questions about the ANC's fidelity to its founding principles. The political landscape has shifted dramatically. The ANC, once the undisputed leader of South Africa's liberation movement, is now relegated to a coalition partner in a fragmented multiparty system following its failure to secure a majority in the 2024 elections. According to Professor Bheki Mngomezulu, Director of the Centre for the Advancement of Non-Racialism and Democracy, this marks a pivotal moment but questions the party's direction. 'The ANC has had ample time to realise the promises of the Freedom Charter. Their inability to deliver on key clauses, particularly wealth sharing and land redistribution, reflects a betrayal of those ideals.' ' Many South Africans believe that the ANC has reneged on its promise to implement the clauses of the Freedom Charter. They base their assessment on the condition of their lives and unfulfilled promises made by the ANC in each election.' Mngomezulu drew disparities in the ANC, which holds a view that only two of the ten clauses of the Freedom Charter have not been fulfilled. 'These are clauses three, which says, 'The people shall share in the country's wealth,' and clause four, which says, 'The land shall be shared among those who work it.' However, even with these clauses, the ANC claims it is a work in progress.' He argued that it was safe to say that the question on poverty and other challenges have not all been answered, as people still lived in poverty. Political Economy Analyst Zamikhaya Maseti proposed marking the 70th anniversary by returning to the roots of the Charter and holding the commemorative events in Kliptown itself. 'Kliptown was the site where our great-grandparents gathered under difficult, illegal conditions on June 25–26, 1955, to craft a vision for a democratic South Africa,' Maseti noted. 'Their gathering produced the Freedom Charter, a lodestar for the liberation struggle. Today, we face an equally historic task: rebuilding South Africa born from their sacrifices. A nation now fractured and drifting, desperately in need of repair.' She said that 'holding the anniversary in Kliptown would root it in the moral soil of people's struggles and remove the sting of elitism that often surrounds state-led initiatives. It would strip the dialogue of unnecessary extravagance.' Maseti stressed that 'the original Congress of the People saw delegates arrive by bus, taxi, train-some even on horseback. 'Reflecting this spirit, the proposed R700 million budget for this national dialogue is seen as absurd and morally indefensible I am relieved that the Presidency rejected that outrageous proposal.' Former ambassador Lassy Chiwayo reflected on the nation's current state as the nation comme 70th anniversary approaches. He warns of a dangerous phenomenon. 'Political sclerosis' is a form of institutional rigidity that stifles progress. 'Once, the ANC was Africa's most respected liberation movement- an icon of hope,' Chiwayo laments. 'Today, what has happened to that movement, and what does it mean for our nation?' He described 'political sclerosis' as 'a state of stagnation, gridlock, and paralysis,' warning that 'when our institutions become inflexible, they stop functioning effectively, and progress stalls. The ANC is suffering from a kind of political leprosy that threatens to consume the very ideals it once stood for.' If unchecked,' he warns, 'this disease could lead to the collapse of hope and the end of our dreams for a free, liberated Africa.' Chiwayo urges the movement to shed its sclerosis, embrace flexibility, and reconnect with the core principles of liberation and service. 'Otherwise, we risk losing the very essence of what our ancestors fought for-an Africa free from foreign domination, inequality, and oppression.' Activist and author Kim Heller laments that 'the Freedom Charter lies in ruins in democratic South Africa.' She argued that 'today, the portraiture of the ANC as a devoted and dutiful servant to its citizens has all but collapsed. The party has abandoned its scripture.' Heller critiqued the current elite-driven, VIP-dominated political culture, contrasting it with the grassroots participation and volunteerism underpinning the Charter's formation. She pointed out that the proposed R700 million National Dialogue, led by President Ramaphosa, 'lacks the nation-building spirit and grassroots involvement that defined the Charter and the UDF. It appears to be an elite talk shop, disconnected from the struggles of ordinary South Africans.' Independent analyst Professor Sipho Seepe highlighted that the implementation of the Charter was doomed from the start. 'The ANC adopted a constitution that appreciated past injustices but made socioeconomic transformation difficult,' he stated. 'The architecture of apartheid remains largely intact, and inequality has only worsened, making South Africa the most unequal country in the world.' He criticised the ANC's partnership with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in government, arguing that 'the party has become an empty shell incapable of delivering on the promises of equality and justice, betraying the very ideals of the Freedom Charter.' According to Maseri, the challenge now is to reconnect with those founding principles by returning to Kliptown, the grassroots, and the moral soil of the struggles that birthed this nation. 'The task is to rebuild what was once a beacon of hope and aspiration. Only then can South Africa truly honour the sacrifices made and realise the promise of the Freedom Charter.' When asked for a comment on whether the ANC betrayed the Freedom Charter, the party's national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, stated that she would respond by Thursday afternoon; however, she did not do so by the publication deadline. [email protected] IOL Politics

IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
‘You are misleading the court': Magistrate Ramlal slams State as blue lights fraud trial collapses again
At the heart of the confusion is accused number three, whose role in the case has changed without explanation. He was initially said to have confessed, but no written confession was ever filed. He was then removed from the charge sheet and quietly reclassified as a potential State witness, raising serious concerns about coercion and procedural misconduct. Image: Supplied The long-running tax fraud trial linked to the SAPS 'blue lights' scandal fell into fresh disarray on Thursday at Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court, with Magistrate Ashika Ramlal sharply criticising the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and accusing the State of misleading the court. At the heart of the confusion is accused number three, whose role in the case has changed without explanation. He was initially said to have confessed, but no written confession was ever filed. He was then removed from the charge sheet and quietly reclassified as a potential State witness, raising serious concerns about coercion and procedural misconduct. Things worsened on Thursday when accused number nine, Thomas Marima, arrived in court late and without proper legal representation. Marima only met his lawyer for the first time during the court break. Magistrate Ramlal was visibly frustrated, accusing the State of using Marima's lack of counsel as a tactic to delay the trial again. 'You are misleading the court if you say you are ready for trial,' Ramlal told lead prosecutor Richard Chabalala. 'This is why South Africans are losing trust in the NPA.' The magistrate concluded that the State may not be ready to proceed and issued a firm directive: by 1 July 2025, the State must ensure all accused persons are provided with a complete and accurate charge sheet and that they fully understand the charges against them. 'You were hoping to use number nine's lack of representation as a way to secure another postponement,' she added. Defence lawyer Piet du Plessis, representing former acting police commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane, was equally critical earlier in the week. 'It's 2025, and the State still doesn't have a valid charge sheet for a case that began in 2018,' he said. 'After 40 minutes, the prosecutor couldn't produce a single legally sound version.' The original charge sheet — dating back to 2021 — was signed by Herman Cronje, who left the NPA the same year. That version listed James Ramanjolam as accused number three. In the latest version, Ramanjolam is no longer included — yet his signature remains on some documentation. Du Plessis and other attorneys argue that altering a charge sheet prepared by a former official without submitting it to IDAC (Investigating Directorate Against Corruption) head Andrea Johnson for re-approval is procedurally improper and potentially fraudulent. These discrepancies have triggered calls for a formal investigation into the NPA's handling of the matter. When questioned in court, Prosecutor Chabalala admitted the errors were his responsibility, blaming 'oversights' in formatting and printing. Legal experts say such explanations fall short for a corruption case of this magnitude. Some accused individuals claim they were harassed or pressured to testify against others, raising additional concerns over fairness. Several have seen charges dropped and later reinstated, including Major General Ravi Pillay, former SAPS Head of Procurement. Businessman Vimpie Manthata and his company — listed as accused one and eight — have experienced the same back-and-forth. At the centre of the case is an alleged R19 million VAT fraud connected to Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement, a company owned by Manthata. Bookkeeper Judy Rose is accused of facilitating the fraudulent claims, which form part of a broader R191 million SAPS procurement scandal involving emergency 'blue lights' equipment. The trial was expected to proceed this week, with SARS officials scheduled to testify. But the continued confusion over documents and legal representation brought proceedings to a halt once again.'This is just another example of a high-profile corruption case falling apart due to poor planning, weak prosecution, and basic legal missteps,' one legal observer commented. Magistrate Ramlal has now set 1 July as a non-negotiable deadline. 'All the accused must receive a complete charge sheet, and all must understand what they are being charged with—no more excuses,' she said. The matter is due back in court on 15 July 2025. But unless the State resolves its ongoing procedural failures, this already seven-year-old trial risks collapsing entirely.


Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
‘This is the moment of truth' — Steenhuisen gives Ramaphosa 48-hour ultimatum after Whitfield's axing
Unless the ANC cleans house within 48 hours, 'all bets are off', warns the Democratic Alliance leader. DA leader John Steenhuisen has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of triggering a 'calculated political assault' on the DA, after the sudden axing of its deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, Andrew Whitfield, on Thursday. 'Should the ANC fail to meet our ultimatum, all bets are off and the consequences will be theirs to bear,' Steenhuisen warned in a speech to the National Assembly. The Presidency announced on Thursday that Ramaphosa had removed Whitfield from his position. Providing no reason for this, Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, told Daily Maverick: 'The President has thanked the former deputy minister for the time he served in the role.' However, he said the move was not a 'wholesale Cabinet reshuffle', suggesting rather a targeted removal of Whitfield. Following news of Whitfield's removal, the DA's Federal Executive called a meeting on Thursday afternoon to deal with the issue. Daily Maverick understands that Whitfield was fired after an allegedly unauthorised trip to the US in late February, alongside DA MP Emma Powell. Powell told Daily Maverick at the time that their delegation met with, among others, Africa advisers at the National Security Council, Democratic senators from the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations including Chris Coons, and the legislative staff director for Republican Senator Ted Cruz. The delegation also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's key adviser. However, Steenhuisen, in his speech, said Whitfield had requested permission from Ramaphosa for this trip on 12 February, but never received a response. 'Shortly before Cabinet met yesterday, he [Ramaphosa] informed me that he intends to remove Andrew Whitfield as deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. I requested 24 hours to speak to Whitfield and my party. However, before I could even do so, just three hours later, Whitfield received a letter informing him of his removal. 'The apparent reason for this sudden and ill-considered decision is that Whitfield did not obtain permission to travel abroad earlier this year,' explained Steenhuisen. However, he said, 'The facts contradict … [this] flimsy reasoning. In fact, on 12 February, Whitfield had written to the President requesting permission to travel to the United States, as required by the Ministerial Handbook. Ten days later, he had still not received any response from the Presidency, and departed on the trip. 'Whitfield subsequently wrote to the President to apologise if it caused offence. Again, he received no response. 'Then yesterday, months after the incident and without a further word on it, the President unilaterally removed a DA deputy minister without even giving his largest coalition partner the courtesy of discussing the issue,' said Steenhuisen. 'Flagrant double standard' It's important to note that nowhere in the speech does Steenhuisen call for Whitfield's reinstatement, but rather for Ramaphosa to fire a bunch of his allegedly errant ministers. Ramaphosa has been criticised for failing to remove ministers and deputy ministers facing serious allegations of corruption and fraud. Former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize resigned on the eve of a Cabinet reshuffle in 2021, when his position became untenable after he and his family were found to be inextricably linked to a corrupt contract given to the company Digital Vibes. Last year, Ramaphosa reshuffled Thembi Simelane from her position as justice minister to the Human Settlements portfolio, after a Daily Maverick and News24 investigation revealed that she had received a R500,000 'loan' from a company that had brokered investments with the looted VBS Mutual Bank. On Thursday, Steenhuisen called the 'drastic unilateral action' against Whitfield the 'product of a flagrant double standard'. 'While a DA deputy minister is removed for not getting a response to seeking permission to travel, Thembi Simelane remains in Cabinet despite being implicated in the VBS looting. Nobuhle Nkabane remains in Cabinet despite apparently misleading Parliament over an attempt to deploy corrupt cadres to Seta [Sector Education and Training Authority] boards. 'Serial underperformers, as well as people implicated in State Capture, continue to sit around the Cabinet table. Instead of being summarily fired, Simelane was merely asked to submit a 'report' on the allegations against her to the President and moved to another portfolio. 'In the past, even ministers who had serious Public Protector findings [against them] were merely admonished or had their pay docked. David Mahlobo is implicated in the most serious corruption by the State Capture commission, yet he continues in the position as deputy minister of water and sanitation. 'Yet a DA deputy minister is dismissed with the flimsiest of excuses,' continued Steenhuisen. He said the party called on Ramaphosa to 'fire Simelane, Nkabane, Mahlobo and other ANC ministers and deputy ministers implicated in corruption within the next 48 hours'. 'If they fail to do so, the ANC will inflict grave consequences on South Africa. Make no mistake about it: what happens next is entirely on the ANC and President Ramaphosa,' warned Steenhuisen. He said the next 48 hours would be 'the moment of truth'. 'Something deeper at play' Rather than Whitfield's jaunt to the US being the reason he was sacked, Steenhuisen suggested there was 'something even deeper at play here'. According to Steenhuisen, Whitfield had 'opposed an attempt to make suspect appointments' and was 'standing in the way of the looting' that would follow Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau's contentious R100-billion transformation fund, which was published for public comment earlier this year. 'All of this in a department mired in corruption allegations involving the tender for the National Lottery,' added Steenhuisen. 'Given this flagrant double standard, one is left with no choice but to conclude that hardworking DA members of the executive are now being fired for fighting corruption, not for committing corruption,' said Steenhuisen. 'I treated silence as consent' Daily Maverick contacted Whitfield with queries, but had not received a response by the time of publication. However, speaking to John Perlman on 702 on Thursday evening, Whitfield maintained that Ramaphosa gave no reason for his axing. 'The trip was obviously a DA trip. I had written to the President 10 days prior to departure to comply with the requirement to request leave to travel abroad, and after nine days of waiting, we needed to book a flight, and I felt that I had waited reasonably long enough and [had] followed up every day… with the Presidency and received no response other than they had acknowledged receipt,' he said. 'I assumed that because I went to the United States without the expressed permission of the President in spite of the fact that he had the letter for 10 days — I have it on good authority that he was very aware of the letter — chose not to reply to the letter, either in the affirmative or the negative, and I treated silence as consent,' he added. Daily Maverick requested comment from Magwenya, but had not received a response by the time of publication. DM