Probation officer recommends fine, public apology for Jackie Phamotse over Kumalo comments
Last June, the Randburg Magistrates Court convicted Phamotse of criminal defamation, crimen injuria, and contempt of court over the comments, which alluded to a sex tape involving Basetsana and Romeo Kumalo.
Jackie Phamotse. Picture: Facebook/PhamotseJackie
JOHANNESBURG - A probation officer has recommended that controversial author Jackie Phamotse be fined over criminal comments she made about media moguls Basetsana and Romeo Kumalo on Twitter in 2018.
Last June, the Randburg Magistrates Court convicted Phamotse of criminal defamation, crimen injuria, and contempt of court over the comments, which alluded to a sex tape involving the couple.
More than six months later, sentencing proceedings are now finally underway.
The defence on Tuesday called a probation officer to the stand.
The probation officer compiled a report on what she believed would be an appropriate sanction for Phamotse, in which she’s ultimately arrived at the position that the controversial author should be fined and be made to issue a public apology.
She pointed to the fact that Phamotse was relatively young and played a significant role in her siblings’ and nephews’ lives.
While she expressed concerns about Phamotse still distancing herself from the charges she was convicted of, the probation officer also pointed to the author’s book, ‘I Tweet What I Like: So...Sue Me!’
She said while the title may come across as arrogant Phamotse used this experience as “a learning pad” and touched on important issues relevant to this case including mental health and cyberbullying in the book.