SuperSport launches own probe into Willemse walk-out
SuperSport says a preliminary investigation is taking place today - into the events that led to former Springbok and presenter Ashwin Willemse walking off the set at the weekend.
During an in-studio post-match analysis of the Lions-Brumbies game on Saturday evening, Willemse left the studio mid-broadcast after seemingly accusing fellow analysts, Nick Mallet and Naas Botha of patronising him after they allegedly referred to him as a quota player.
SuperSport spokesperson, Clinton van der Berg says today's probe will involve management and production staff as well as Willemse, Mallet and Botha and presenter - Motshidisi Mohono.
He says they have also noted the Sports Minister's remarks.
"We acknowledge the comments from the Minister of Sports. We will engage with the Minister in this regard. There was no suggestion of prejudice nor SuperSport suggesting that. We are saying as a matter of record that prejudice is not tolerated by Supersport. I can't pre-empt any findings. The investigation will take prominence at this point," Van der Berg said.
ALSO READ: Ashwin Willemse's live walk-off
CEO of SuperSport's parent company - Multichoice - Calvo Mawela says prejudice of any sort will not be tolerated.
Mawela says whatever the findings of the probe - appropriate action will be taken to remedy the situation.
See responses below on social media on the incident.
What Ashwin Willemse addressed is something many people of colour experience. It’s a subtle undermining and condescending approach that is difficult to prove, but you know it when you experience it. Then you’re accused of ‘having a chip on your shoulder.’ pic.twitter.com/bMS3KcVeZG
— Khaya Dlanga (@khayadlanga) May 20, 2018
Went for coffee last week with #AshwinWillemse. He’s not an emotional attention seeker who played the race card. He is professional, smart and one of the most intelligent & kind guys you’ll meet. And when you are THAT, you dont entertain people who belittle you. 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/rtVdzA2mqe
— Marnus Broodryk (@marnusbroodryk) May 20, 2018
#AshwinWillemse as a professional whether on the field or off or even in the studio you ALWAYS keep your cool. What Aswin did was totally unprofessional and deserves to be fired. You were out of line and you deserve the red card.
— Gary Evans (@garye100) May 20, 2018
“It’s better to die standing than to live on your knees.” -Che Guevara
— Masechaba Ndlovu (@MasechabaNdlovu) May 20, 2018
Thank you KING #AshwinWillemse 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/XctjmH0qdK
We’ve all had an #AshwinWillemse moment but maybe not all had the swag to drop the mic and walk off the set like *that*
— Ferial Haffajee (@ferialhaffajee) May 20, 2018
It will make quite an anthology. I’d love to hear your story.