Basetsana Khumalo, alongside her husband Romeo, emerged victorious in a long-standing defamation case against author Jackie Phamotse, on Tuesday.
Basetsana Khumalo wins defamation case against Jackie Phamotse
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The court found Phamotse guilty on four counts, marking the culmination of a five-year legal battle.
Khumalo expressed her relief, stating that the past five years have been incredibly taxing for her family.
Outside the Randburg Magistrate court, the legal team representing the Khumalos voiced their desire to see Phamotse face legal consequences. Friends and family celebrated the verdict.
The magistrate declared:
“Having regard to the totality of the evidence, the court is satisfied that the state has proved its case against Ms Phamotse on all four counts beyond reasonable doubt. Ms Phamotse’s version as enumerated in the reasons for judgment above is not reasonably possibly true and is rejected as false beyond reasonable doubt.”
Phamotse faced charges including two counts of crimen injuria, one count of criminal defamation, and one count of contempt of court.
The legal dispute originated from a contentious claim Phamotse posted on X (formerly Twitter) in 2018. In the post, she insinuated the existence of a compromising video involving the Khumalos and another male figure.
The post read:
“Just overheard a painful conversation, a female TV mogul pleading with one of my girls to not share videos of her drunk and her husband [sic] rimming a celebrity boy! What the hell! What kind of marriages do we have now! I have asked to see this video.”
Phamotse was also under scrutiny for her 2019 book titled I Tweet What I Like: So … Sue Me.
Phindi Mjonondwana, speaking on behalf of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), commended the ruling as groundbreaking.
She noted that it would significantly assist in prosecuting cases related to cyberbullying.
Mjonondwana emphasised that the judgment serves as an educational reminder for society to use social media platforms responsibly and with respect for other people’s rights.
Sentencing in this case is scheduled for 24 October 2023.