The case stems from a tweet in 2018 in which Jackie Famotse claimed a sex tape between Basetsana and her husband.
March 26 is the date set by the court to sentence author Jackie Phamotse in the case involving Romeo and Basetsana Khumalo.
The matter has been postponed numerous times since Mr Phamotse was found guilty last year.
Basetsana Khumalo took the witness stand at Randburg Magistrates Court on Tuesday and gave a victim impact statement. In it, the former Miss SA detailed how the delay in completing her case affected her.
“I've been to court 51 times in the last five years, and 51 times in the last three years, paying for my flight and accommodation. The opportunity cost of this case is unimaginable.” she said.
In 2018, Ms Phamotse tweeted about an alleged sex tape that social media users concluded involved the Khumaros family and a juvenile celebrity.
Basetsana turns 50 at the end of this month, and Romeo celebrates his 52nd birthday.n.d. My birthday was a few weeks ago. The two have been married for over 20 years.
ALSO READ: Heartfelt birthday tribute to Basesana Khumalo as legal battle with Jackie Phamotse continues
delay
After the two took legal action against the author, on September 19, 2023, she was found guilty of defamation, criminal damage, and contempt of court.
Sentencing was originally scheduled for October 24, 2023, but was postponed to November 14. On this day, a decision was made to sentence Mr. Phamotse in 2024.
Phamotse appeared in court in February, where her defense team asked for a further postponement.
Phamotse's lawyer, Mpho Matonsi, argued in favor of an adjournment, citing the social worker's report and saying a conclusion needed to be reached before a verdict is handed down.
Also read: Author Jackie Phamotse found guilty in Khumaros case
tolls apply
In 2023, Basetsana spoke of her relief when the verdict was handed down.
“This is for my children who have had to live in shame for the past five years, and for the legacy of our parents who raised us well. And today I want to thank everyone. I think… I mean, this is my guy,” Basetsana said outside court. September.
In her victim impact statement, the entrepreneur clearly outlined how damaging the incident was to her children, extended family, and even the couple's business interests.
The “unimaginable opportunity cost” of the incident also extended to their children, who faced ostracism. “I missed my children's school events because I had to go to court to protect and restore our dignity,” Basetsana asserted.
“That moment we can’t get back, being the only kids whose parents didn’t show up because we had to be here. [in court]”
“All I wanted to do was seek justice for the lies that were spread about my family, but Mr. Matonsi made me stand on the witness stand for five days while he mocked me, humiliated me, embarrassed me, slandered me, and degraded me. Ta.”
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forced relocation
She said her family eventually moved to Cape Town in 2020 as life around Gauteng became difficult following Phamotse's tweets.
“We had to move from our home in Kyalami Gauteng to Cape Town because we could not bear to see the pain our children were experiencing.
“To add insult to injury, the so-called 'sex video' that Ms Famotse, under cross-examination, confirmed did not exist, in the very box in which I am standing, is clearly a product of her imagination. It was probably taken at home where we were raising our three children.”
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