A FlySafair flight from Durban to Cape Town descended into turmoil on December 26th when a passenger employed by the South African Broadcasting Corporation became aggressive after being denied more alcohol. Multiple videos were taken of the incident showing physical and verbal altercations, including (trigger warning) racist comments, even drawing in reaction from once-dominant political party African National Congress.
The passenger reportedly boarded the flight already appearing intoxicated. Once inflight, she demanded to be served more. A flight attendant refused, and she hurled a drink in one cabin crew member’s face and shoved another. She repeatedly used racial slurs and exclaimed, “You don’t know who my father is,” and “I’m an ANC b**ch,” while also claiming to be a “mystery shopper.”
It ended it tears. pic.twitter.com/T4QcYvb3GR
— The General (@KingMntungwa) December 28, 2024
@mzansiwilding #Flysafair ♬ original sound – MzansiWilding
A passenger on FlySAFair was allegedly intoxicated on a flight and started a fight after they refused her more alcohol.
Cosatu | Boxing Day | Zimbabwe | Manchester | Zanu | Nabi | Makhadzi pic.twitter.com/4zJSftl19J
— Sanna (@LesNew5) December 27, 2024
While crew attempted to de-escalate, she let rip and was eventually handcuffed and ultimately handed over to the police upon arrival in Cape Twon. In a since-deleted social media post, she claimed she was the victim and that her lawyers were handling the matter.
According to a FlySafair spokesperson, the woman has been added to the airline’s no-fly list:
We condemn any behaviour of this nature. Flight attendants have a primary duty as safety officers and interfering with their duties is a criminal offence. This passenger will be placed on our no-fly list and will not be welcome on future FlySafair flights. After the police get involved [in] matters like this, they manage the situation and we don’t get insight into what transpires.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation added,
The South African Broadcasting Corporation has noted with concern, audio-visual material circulating on various social media platforms featuring a staff member travelling on a South African airline. The SABC regrets this incident, and always encourages staff members to uphold the SABC values of respect and integrity in all their interactions.
…We would like to reiterate that SABC News is guided by the editorial code and maintains its editorial independence, and the decisions pertaining to all news items are made in the newsroom and not influenced by non-editorial staff members.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress is distancing itself from the woman.
The African National Congress (ANC) has noted with disgust and disdain the behaviour of a woman aboard a domestic flight who acted in an unruly and unbecoming manner, while invoking the name of the ANC as if to justify her actions.
Regardless of whether this individual is a member of the ANC, we unequivocally state that no person has the right to behave in such an unacceptable manner, and certainly not while misusing the good name of the ANC.
Perhaps what’s most amazing is that incidents like this happen outside of Spirit Airlines, and beyond U.S. borders even?
If your personality goes dark when drinking, don’t drink.
@Dave W Oh! I get it! “Dark” because it’s a (South) African airline, and the story involves (black) people. Good one! *slaps knee*
@ Gary Nice closing! “Anyone?” Yes, for those of us with passports, who actually use them (What?? You can do that?!), we do visit so-called “shit-hole” countries (Remember that one? Good times!). From experience, no race, ethnicity, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or other personal identifier has a monopoly on bad behavior, while traveling or otherwise. It is universal. And also yes, when something like this occurs, it should be shunned (for the content of their character, not the color of their skin). This isn’t hard. We can do better.
It’s nearly 2025. We all already know this. But ok, let’s do the whole prejudice thing anyway, just for shits n’ giggles, amirite? Always ends well for everyone, especially those we repeatedly call nasty names. Surely, it never leads to violence against innocents.
Now, for those I triggered, please crucify me, I get off on it.
Anyone thinking the term “dark” was used as a vague racial reference is simply looking to find ill will in others when it does not exist. I would add that the correct response to “you don’t know who my father is” is “neither does your mother.” But, maybe I shouldn’t say that as someone here might imagine that is racist.