Her Bare book series is one controversial body of work. Jackie Phamotse’s debut book, Bare: The Blessers Game sent shivers down many spines when she wrote about what happens in sugar daddy and sugar baby relationships. Then followed the Bare: Hockey Club, Bare: Curtain Call, Bare: Liwa, Bare: Mercy, and the book that almost put her behind bars, I Tweet What I Like So Sue Me. After a six-year trial with the Kumalo family, Basetsana, and Romeo, she announces that she has another book on the way.
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Jackie, real name Katleho Jaqueline Phamotse, said, she was done wrong. “The Bare nation wanted a book and that’s what I will deliver! Manuscript done. The worst thing you have ever done was to let me have my pen! I will use it!” she shared on social media. After being sentenced to two years’ house arrest with a fine and unpaid community service in her defamation, crimen injuria, and violating a protection order, Jackie seemed not to be phased. “Thank you for the love. I love you right back. I’m in my house safe and sound. Don’t panic, the road is still wet. Let me write,” she wrote. “God has given me so much strength and peace it’s unbelievable. It’s truly peace beyond understanding. I’m covered. I’m home, lost nothing but given more time to do what I’m called to do. It’s not done until he recalls the air in me. God brought me back home when many said I’d never see the sun again. I’m grateful to God because I’m still whole and still able. Now, let’s work.”
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The matter started in 2018 when Twitter (now X) posted about an alleged gay sex tape involving the media mogul Romeo Kumalo and a young man. The court found her utterances to be defamatory as she failed to produce the said video or evidence. Jackie was ordered to perform unpaid community service for 16 hours a month for the duration of the sentence. She also has to submit herself for an assessment with a social worker; and must complete a life skills programme and any other programmes as directed by the commissioner of correctional services programmes, at her expense. The conditions of correctional supervision also require her to refrain from the use/abuse of alcohol and/or drugs and to notify the commissioner in writing of any change of residential or work address. Jackie was fined R12,000 (or four months’ imprisonment), and an R18,000 fine (or six months’ imprisonment).
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The Kumalo’s welcomed the judgement and Basetsana said, “The dignity of my family has been restored. This unprecedented judgment is a victory, not only to my family but to every South African who wakes up every morning and works hard to earn an honest living. This is for every child who has been cyberbullied.”
Cece Smith 