By Rorisang Modiba
Author Jackie Phamotse has been sentenced to two years house arrest and community service for defaming Romeo and Basetsana Kumalo, the Randburg Magistrates Court ruled.
The 35-year-old is a writer, businesswoman, social activist and philanthropist. Her first novel, “BARE: The Blesser’s Game,” released in 2017, won the African Icon Literary Award in Lagos, Nigeria in 2018.
The ruling ends a six-year-long legal dispute with media figures Romeo Kumalo, a Vodacom executive and former broadcaster, and Basetsana Khumalo, who was formerly crowned Miss Soweto.
Phamotse accused Romeo of being in a sexual video with another man.
The post from 2018 led to a lawsuit and Phamotse was found guilty of defamation, crimen injuria and contempt of court on 19 September last year, according to a Sunday World report.
Magistrate Saras Naidoo ordered her to complete community service and undergo evaluations by social workers.
She must also pay a R12,000 fine for defamation or serve four months in jail, and an R18,000 fine for contempt of court or serve six months in jail.
Phamotse told the court she could pay R4,000 immediately, with the rest paid monthly.
Pictured above: Jackie Phamotse.
Image source: X
