Leandra, who was men’s magazine FHM model of the year in 2011, has since deleted the controversial tweet and posted an apology on her blog jessicaleandra.com .
“I tweeted rather irresponsibly about an incident I encountered last night [Thursday], using a harsh and unkind word about the gentleman who had confronted me with sexual remarks and sounds,” she wrote in her apology.
“While most of you would enjoy the opportunity to throw a few vicious words at me, please do understand that I was acting in pure anger and frustration at the time and although we know this is no excuse, it is a lesson learnt and again, I am sincerely apologetic.”
FHM South Africa took to Twitter to voice its distaste at Leandra’s comment.
“We’re horrified any1 would say such things! Those attitudes have no place in society or FHM! [sic].”
The magazine’s editor Brendan Cooper could not be immediately reached for comment.
Withdrawn sponsors
QuickTrim SA, one of her sponsors, tweeted: “Due to the severity of the remarks by #JessicaLeandra #QuickTrimSA herewith ends our sponsorship to her with immediate effect!”
Despite Leandra’s apology, South Africa’s Twitter community was still not happy.
Columnist Mabine Seabe wrote on the social networking site that he had lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
“I have lodged a complaint against Jessica Leandra with the Human Rights Commission on the basis of crimen injuria and libel.”
