It is not quite the verdict they wanted, but Basetsana and Romeo Kumalo are happy about the court's final judgment. Magistrate Saras Naidoo from the Randburg Magistrates Court gave controversial author Katleho Jacqueline "Jackie" Phamotse two years of house arrest, a fine of R30 000 in total or imprisonment, 16 hours a month of community service until her sentence is done. Jackie is also required to check in with a social worker for assessment and take up a life skills programme. She is to refrain from alcohol and narcotics.

A QWERTY WARRIOR

This is after she was found guilty of crimen injuria, criminal defamation, and contempt of court after a five-year legal battle with media moguls and couple Basetsana and Romeo Kumalo. Jackie found herself in trouble and attending court back and forth after Tweeting in 2018 that businessman Romeo had been involved in sexual activity with a young man.

RESTORATION

The Kumalos were hoping she would receive direct imprisonment for the damage they say she caused to their family, business and relationships. "Finally, this is over and we can move on as the dignity of my family has been restored," Basetsana said, addressing the media outside court. "This is for each and every child who has been cyber-bullied. I have restored my voice. I restored my narrative from someone who was trying to re-write the narrative of my life." Although they lost money in the five-year-long case, the Kumalos said they are happy to have made history and an example that cyberbullying will not be tolerated by the law.

JACKIE'S STORY

Jackie made her debut in South African media before releasing her first book, Bare: # the Blesser's Game. Since then, she has released several books and 'Tweeted what she liked.' In a previous interview with ZiMoja, she said she believes in truth and open conversations. "I love to question everything. I am inquisitive. I love research and people who have opinions." In 2022, Jackie said she was poisoned while at an event, and miscarried her unborn baby for being "too vocal," she said. "I almost died." Jackie added that she had received subtle warnings and death threats for being too opinionated. "I have received several death threats. I have been shamed publicly, taken to court, and most recently people tried to poison me," she said.