In a significant legal victory, actress and businesswoman Tebogo Thobejane has emerged triumphant in her ongoing battle against social media influencer Innocentia “Inno” Morolong. The Randburg Magistrate’s Court found Morolong guilty of crimen injuria and defamation after a social media rant in which she accused Thobejane of being a scammer, sex worker, and even a practitioner of muthi, or witchcraft. The verdict marks a pivotal moment in a long-standing feud between the two, which has played out in the public eye for over a year.
The controversy began in March of the previous year when Morolong, known for her outspoken and controversial social media presence, went live on Instagram to make a series of damaging allegations against Thobejane. In a video that went viral, she claimed that Thobejane engaged in illicit activities, including being a sex worker and using muthi. Morolong did not stop there; she also accused Thobejane of sleeping with numerous men without protection, labeling her as “filthy.” This public tirade was just one chapter in a dramatic and increasingly ugly dispute between the two women, both of whom are prominent figures in South Africa’s entertainment and influencer circles.
Thobejane, who rose to fame through her role on Diamond & Dolls, had already been the subject of severe online harassment and defamation. In the same live broadcast, Morolong made a series of personal attacks, even suggesting that Thobejane had an affair with the president of South Africa, an allegation that further fueled the social media storm. Thobejane responded to the accusations with both anger and determination, revealing that her son had been affected by the online bullying, forcing her to change his school to protect him from the backlash. “They have told the whole world that my private parts smell,” Thobejane said in an earlier interview, adding that Morolong’s actions had caused her immense emotional distress.
In addition to the verbal assaults, the dispute between the two women took a more physical turn in 2022 when they were involved in a confrontation with fellow socialite Doro Mongy. The altercation led to further public humiliation for Thobejane, who alleged that Morolong secretly filmed her in a private setting and shared the footage on social media. As the legal proceedings unfolded, Thobejane took a stand against the online harassment, saying that she was “tired of being cyberbullied” and that she would pursue legal action to protect her reputation and privacy. Her decision to open a criminal case against Morolong and Mongy marked a pivotal moment in her quest to seek justice.
The recent court ruling found Morolong guilty on both counts of defamation and crimen injuria. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane confirmed that Morolong would return to court in January 2025 for the sentencing phase. This verdict has been seen as a major victory for Thobejane, who expressed her satisfaction with the fairness of the trial. In a statement to the media, she said she was “grateful for the fairness demonstrated by the court” and emphasized that the legal victory was a significant step in restoring her dignity. Thobejane also expressed her commitment to moving forward with integrity, focusing on her career and personal growth rather than dwelling on the past.
While Thobejane has clearly won the first round in her legal battle, the fight is far from over. As Morolong faces the consequences of her actions, Thobejane’s victory sends a strong message about the consequences of defamation and online harassment, especially in the high-stakes world of social media influencers. The public nature of their dispute has captivated audiences across South Africa, with many weighing in on the case’s broader implications for online conduct and the protection of individuals’ reputations in the digital age. For Thobejane, this is a moment to reclaim her name and rebuild her personal and professional life, free from the shadows of cyberbullying and malicious gossip.
