Basesana Khumalo reveals the devastating impact Jackie Phamotse's lies had on her family and business.
The businessman and her husband, Romeo Khumalo, appeared at Randburg Magistrates Court seeking sentencing for author Jackie, who was found guilty of assault, defamation and contempt of court.
Zoliswa Budaza, a probation officer with the Gauteng Department of Social Development, recommended that Jackie's sentence should include a public apology and a fine of between R5,000 and R8,000. This was all she could afford.
Basetsana took the witness stand and read out the victim's statement.
“My older mother-in-law and father-in-law, who are here today, had to live in shame for five years. This lie affected their church life and interactions with relatives who read Ms. Famotse’s statements in the newspapers. “It has affected us,” and we get calls asking, “What’s going on?” We are no longer invited to family gatherings and social events,” she said.
“We lost many family members and friends very early in our lives, which added to the emotional pain and trauma we were already experiencing,” she said. .
“My family and I were shocked to find out that our friends would share horrific stories about us, but what was even more shocking was how many of our friends believed them. I have three children. As I said, Nkosinati is now 18 years old, Kgosi is 11 years old, and Bontre Ba Morena turned 9 years old in July. Famotse These children were deprived of a normal and happy childhood because other parents wouldn't let them be near me or my husband after she tweeted about us.” she continued in her statement.
“We have worked very hard over the years to build brand equity and capitalized on that good name. I am a brand ambassador for a well-known company in South Africa. “I have been to this court 51 times in a year, and in the past three years I have been to this court 51 times with airfare and accommodation costs,” she said.
“Ms. Famotse’s tweet portrayed my husband as a pedophile and me as a woman with no values. This is irreparable damage to our dignity and character in the community. I gave you.”
