Basetsana and Romeo Kumalo respond to sex tape rumours
The couple have spoken out against allegations of a gay sex tape doing the rounds.
Business power couple Basetsana and Romeo Kumalo were on the bad end of a rumour two weeks ago when allegations of a sex tape linking Romeo and Rapper Nasty C, real name David Junior Ngcobo, surfaced.
No controversial video has actually surfaced solidifying the claims.
The couple have spoken out and said they slammed the allegations and were taking legal action against the instigator.
The Kumalos have called the allegations false and defamatory, stating that they had not only caused them personal, emotional and professional harm, but also affected their children.
They said their prolonged silence was due to shock and hurt by the salacious content “and manner in which it has been recklessly shared and spread”.
Read the full statement below:
Right Of Reply: Social Media Allegations Made Against Basetsana And Romeo Kumalo
Our marriage and personal lives have been the subject of vicious social media attacks over the past week.
We issue this statement in response to those false and defamatory allegations. The allegations allude to a sex tape which does not exist. The source of the allegations is an author whom we have never met, spoken to or had any dealings with. We can only deduce, for reasons which remain unclear, that the motivation behind these unfounded and salacious rumours was nothing but pure malice, and perhaps an attempt by the author to create publicity and boost her book sales.
The harm caused on a personal, emotional and professional level has been immeasurable. Moreover, the malicious spreading of fictitious rumours has caused enormous emotional harm to our children – who we have always tried to keep out of the public spotlight.
It has been enormously challenging to remain silent over the past week. Our silence thus far has not been because there is any merit or truth in these allegations – but simply because we have been so deeply shocked and hurt by the salacious content and manner in which it has been recklessly shared and spread.
But today is when we break the silence. We feel it is our duty to take a stand – both against the individuals involved in spreading these baseless allegations and also, against all those keyboard warriors who so swiftly jump on the bandwagon to share harmful content about others – without considering the long-term harm this can cause.
We have sought legal counsel and have laid criminal charges of crimen injuria and are applying for Protection Orders against those responsible. The defamatory content has also since been picked up by mainstream media, and we are considering other legal options available, including laying a complaint to the Independent Media Ombudsman.
It is our hope that in taking a public stand against this type of malicious and reckless behaviour, we will send a strong message to all those who regularly and carelessly share false and harmful information about others without fact-checking or considering the tremendous harm to be caused on a personal, professional and reputational level.
We would like to thank all of those who have stood by us throughout this very challenging period.
Basetsana and Romeo Kumalo – 16 June 2018
