The Randburg Magistrates’ Court has found well-known Jackie Phamotse guilty on two counts of crimen injuria, one count of defamation, and one of contempt of court.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, said they welcomed Tuesday’s judgment, saying it will serve to educate the public about the repercussions of using social media irresponsibly.
She said the case related to a 2018 social media post by Phamotse who tweeted that she had overheard a conversation between a businesswoman, and one of her friends about a video depicting her husband engaging in sexual activity with another man.
The couple at the centre was businessman, Romeo Khumalo and his wife, Basetsana, a former Miss South Africa and Miss World runner-up.
Mjonondwane said Romeo Khumalo testified that the tweet was deeply hurtful, and had caused enormous irreparable damage to his reputation and that of his business.
She said Basetsana Khumalo had approached the harassment court and was granted a protection order against Phamotse, who in 2019 published a book titled; "I tweet what I like, so sue me”, which was in violation of a protection order against her.
The state held that Phamatose’s actions were “intentionally aimed at injuring the reputation of the Khumalos.”
“Many people fall victim to cyber-bullying and the judgment serves to empower the prosecution in its fight against such crime,” Mjonondwane said.
Sentencing proceedings are set for 24 October.
