A FlySafair flight on Boxing Day, 26 December 2024, from Durban to Cape Town experienced major disruptions when an unruly passenger caused chaos during a heated argument over the drink service. FlySafair handcuffed and restrained the woman during the flight and handed her over to police upon landing in Cape Town. Other passengers on board the flight had to assist airline staff to restrain the woman.
SABC issues statement following drunk outburst on local flight
Many fellow passengers captured the outburst on video, and it was not long before it was all over social media. In one clip, she is seen standing in the aisle, pulling a flight attendant’s head aside as tensions escalate. In another clip, the woman is seated as attendants try to handcuff her.
Watch the incident here.
The woman who argued with the flight attendants and insisted on getting a drink is an SABC employee. She mentioned the SABC during her outburst, claiming that the incident would be broadcast on SABC News.
Not surprisingly, the SABC looked down on her behaviour. Subsequently, the SABC issued a statement on 28 December 2024, with the heading ‘The SABC condemns staff member’s conduct on a flight’ stating that it ‘noted with concern’ the footage of the staff member and ‘regrets this incident’.
The statement emphasises that the SABC ‘always encourages staff members to uphold the SABC values of respect and integrity in all their interactions’.
Unruly passenger uses ANC as shield
During the outburst on the local flight, the unruly passenger claimed that nothing can happen to her because of her loyalty to the African National Congress (ANC). However, the ANC issued a statement following the incident in which it describes the woman’s behaviour as ‘unruly’ and ‘unbecoming’, stating that this behaviour goes against the values and principles of the movement. Furthermore, the statement says that the ANC has taken note of the incident ‘with disgust and disdain’. Subsequently, the party stated that it has initiated an investigation into the woman’s membership status.
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