By Staff Reporter
news@alexreporter.co.za
Radio and TV personality Phat Joe has responded to false reports that he has been evicted from his luxury Cape Town apartment, slamming publications that carried the unverified news.
Last week, News24 reported that Phat Joe and his family were “booted from (their) luxurious Cape Town apartment, allegedly over unpaid rent.”
The story was then picked up by several other publications including IOL and Bona Magazine, with reports suggesting that the media personality was evicted because he was owing over R600 000 in rent.
In an official statement, Phat Joe has responded to the false reports of his eviction, calling the news an attempt to defame him.
“Recent reports in the media about me and my family are clearly an attempt to defame me by the person who purports to be the landlord of my luxury penthouse in Seapoint, Cape Town.
” This person and their accomplices have resorted to harassment, assault, threats, and fraudulent attempts to extort over R267 000 from me by making false claims and misleading the courts.
“Until now, we have attempted to handle these legal matters with discretion.
“Contrary to claims, there was no eviction order, rather, a negotiated settlement was reached and made an Order of the High Court, and the claims that the Sheriff emptied the apartment are untrue.
“In a recent bid to avoid law enforcement, the owner of the penthouse reportedly lied and informed SAPS detectives in Seapoint that the individual attempting to defraud me had died.
“The efforts of these individuals prove their lack of faith in the ongoing legal process and the truthfulness of their claims.
“I look forward to sharing the full story with South Africans once we have resolved all pending matters in the courts.”
Phat Joe shared that he was granted a Protection Order against the individuals responsible for the false reports, and said further legal action will be pursued against the person (s) involved in capturing and publishing photographs of his underage daughter without consent.