SABC to investigate employee accused of abuse and racism aboard FlySafair flight

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and Patriotic Alliance (PA) have condemned the actions of a woman who was filmed making racist comments and being disruptive on a flight on 26 December.

Police have confirmed the woman was arrested and charged in terms of the  Civil Aviation Act No 13 of 2009 for disruptive and riotous behaviour on board an aircraft in service.

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe told Daily Maverick on Sunday that the case had been presented to a prosecutor on 27 December for a first appearance. The case, she said, was temporarily withdrawn “pending further investigation and additional charges”.

Mathe said, “The captain of the aircraft indicated that the female passenger, who was highly inebriated, displayed disruptive and riotous behaviour while the aircraft was in service (airborne) and demanded to be served with alcohol.

“The passenger was positively identified by the captain. During police intervention, the passenger continued to display riotous behaviour by insulting SAPS members and threatened to sue them.”

A video of the woman — identified as 43-year-old Nobuntu Mkhize — went viral on social media after she was recorded on a FlySafair flight from Durban to Cape Town making racist comments towards a flight attendant. She was also filmed being disruptive.

On a video, she was heard saying: “You’re a coloured from Mitchells Plain, all these gold rings but no degree. Right now when we land, I’m going to take an Uber home. You don’t even have a [driving] licence. You don’t even have a car.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcjONgubwt8

Her comments have been widely condemned. Her employer, the SABC, said it would use “relevant channels” and initiate internal procedures against her.

Daily Maverick attempted to reach Mkhize via telephone and SMS but she had not responded by the time of publication.

She did, however, tell News24 that she was not drunk during the flight. She claimed she was discriminated against and planned to sue the airline and the police.

PA heads to SAHRC

On Sunday, Kenny Kunene, the deputy president of the PA — a party with large support from coloured communities — said: “The offensive statements targeting members of the coloured community and her other disparaging remarks undermine the spirit of unity, dignity and respect that our Constitution seeks to uphold.

“Racism, irrespective of its source, has no place in South Africa. As a nation that has endured the scars of racial injustice, we must remain vigilant in rejecting all forms of discrimination. No individual, regardless of their position or background, is above the law.”

Kunene said the party would lodge a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The party also urged the SABC to “take firm and decisive action to address this incident”.

The DA’s Western Cape leader, Tertuis Simmers, said the party “strongly condemns the alleged racist incident that recently took place on a local FlySafair flight. This sort of discrimination has absolutely no place in our democratic society.”

Simmers plans to lay a charge of crimen injuria at the Bishop Lavis Police Station in Cape Town on Monday.

SABC: We’ll engage

The SABC said on Saturday it noted “with concern” the video circulating on social media.

“The SABC regrets this incident and always encourages staff members to uphold the SABC values of respect and integrity in all their interactions. In the video clip, this staff member mentions the SABC and states that this incident will be broadcast on SABC News,” read a statement issued by the public broadcaster.

“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.”

The broadcaster said it would use “relevant channels in line with its internal procedures to engage the staff member”.

Meanwhile, Kirby Gordon, the chief marketing officer at FlySafair, told Daily Maverick that “this passenger will be placed on our no-fly list and will not be welcome on future FlySafair flights”.

The airline condemned her behaviour.

“Flight attendants have a primary duty as safety officers and interfering with their duties is a criminal offence.”

‘ANC bitch’

In the clips, Mkhize is heard saying that she was an “ANC bitch”.

ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the party noted the woman’s behaviour with “disgust and disdain”.

“The ANC categorically distances itself from such behaviour, which is contrary to the values and principles of our movement. 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,” she said.

The party has initiated an investigation to determine her membership.

“However, even if it is confirmed that she is a member, her conduct is inexcusable and deeply embarrassing. The ANC will not allow its name to be dragged through the mud by individuals who fail to uphold the dignity and decorum expected of all South Africans, let alone members of our organisation,” said Bhengu-Motsiri. DM