We watched with pain: Kumalos on how allegations affected their children

After a five-year legal battle against Jackie Phamotse, Basetsana and Romeo Kumalo are elated about Basetsana's victory and starting the next chapter in their lives

On September 19 Jackie was found guilty of four charges, including defamation, crimen injuria and violating a protection order, in her case against Basetsana the Randburg magistrate's court.

On Thursday Basetsana and Romeo released a statement outlining how the matter  had affected their family.

"We are relieved that the saga has now been dispensed with and that our families can start a moment of reflection, healing and recovery. This ordeal has been a severe test on the bonds of family and friends.

"Our children have been devastatingly impacted by these damning allegations. We watched with pain, their psychological beings, social lives and self-esteem taking unimaginable knocks. As business people, our ability to pursue sustainable livelihoods were hamstrung, with some business prospects being brought to a halt."

The couple went on to thank those who had supported them and their family over the years.

"We are grateful for the immense support received from family, friends and the greater South African community at large. We wish to appeal to South Africans to exercise extreme caution when using social media platforms, to at least desist from bullying, making false claims and defamatory remarks about other fellow citizens. Social media remains a powerful avenue through which we can empower and educate each other. It is therefore critical that it is not used as an outlet to defame, disparage and besmirch." 

Read the full statement below: