Bestselling Author Jackie Phamotsa Loses Legal Battle Against the Kumalos, Now Awaits Sentencing
Polarising writer and author of the best-selling Bare series, Jackie Phamotse, has had her day at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court, and has been found guilty of charges of defamation, crimen injuria, as well as violation of protection order.
The legal battle was between herself and the Kumalos, namely Romeo and Basetsana Kumalo.
The scandal ensued in 2018, when Phamotse took to Twitter (now known as X) and made a deleterious allegations against the couple, alledging that there was a sex tape involving them as well as an unnamed boy celebrity.
The couple sought legal action against her, and five years later have come out victorious. Commenting on the victory, Basetsana said: “This is a victory for every single person, the many people who have taken their lives from being cyberbullied. And today, this unprecedented judgement is for all of us.”
Watch video here:
The verdict seems to have been met with both favour and questions from tweeps (X users), like with mega star Bonang Matheba who herself has won a legal battle against disgraced podcast rising star Rea Gopane. She posted: “Wonderful!!!! F*ck around and find OUT!!!! Rea Gopane and friends. BURN!!!!!”
Jackie now awaits to hear of her fate as sentencing has been pushed back to 24 October 2023. The NPA has released a statement where it welcomes the judgment and hope this outcome teaches the public about the repercussions of using social media irresponsibly.
It further reads: “Romeo Khumalo testified that the tweet was deeply hurtful, it caused enormous irreparable damage to his reputation and that of his business. Basetsana testified in court that the tweet made her feel raw, attacked, violated, and insulted.”
Read the full statement below.
