Basetsana Kumalo says family can begin recovery journey following court win
Basetsana and Romeo Kumalo have thanked the South African justice system for the victory after a five-year legal battle involving author Jackie Phamotse that left their family in enormous pain.
Basetsana Kumalo and her husband Romeo are grateful for the victory they have received after being victims of cyber-bullying.
Earlier this week, Magistrate S Naidoo found author Jackie Phamotse guilty of crimen injury, criminal defamation, and contempt of court. The ruling, which took place at the Randburg Magistrates' Court, comes after a five-year court battle. In 2018, Phamotse made a Twitter post about an alleged gay sex tape involving Basetsana and her husband, Romeo.
On Thursday, the celebrity couple took to Instagram to release a statement expressing their relief at the court ruling.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kumalo welcome the outcome of the proceedings involving a case of defamation against Ms. Jackie Phamotse. The court has found Ms. Phamotse guilty on two counts of Crimen injuria, one count of Criminal Defamation and one count of Contempt of Court," read the statement.
The Kumalos said this gives them a chance to move past the saga and begin a process of healing.
"We are relieved that the saga has now been dispensed with and that our families can start a moment of reflection, healing, and recovery. This ordeal has been a severe test on the bonds of family and friends," read the statement.
READ: Jackie Phamotse found guilty of defamation of Kumalo family
Kumalo says her children were also negatively affected by the Tweet that Phamotse made.
"Our children have been devastatingly impacted by these damning allegations. We watched with pain, their psychological beings, social lives and self-esteem taking unimaginable knocks. As businesspeople, our ability to pursue sustainable livelihoods were hamstrung, with some business prospects being brought to a halt."
The Kumalos thanked their supporters for the love.
They encouraged people to use social media to build the community instead of breaking people.
"We are grateful for the immense support received from family, friends and the greater South African community at large. We wish to appeal to South Africans to exercise extreme caution when using social media platforms, to at least desist from bullying, making false claims and defamatory remarks about other fellow citizens. Social media remains a powerful avenue through which we can empower and educate each other. It is therefore critical that it is not used as an outlet to defame, disparage, and besmirch.
"The South African Justice system remains one the most resilient in the world. We appreciate the diligence with which the matter was dealt with and hope that true to form, the courts will continue to adjudicate on these matters with a fastidious, steady, and stern hand.”
According to the statement, sentencing is expected to be handed down on 24 October 2023.
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Image courtesy of Instagram.