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Pilot's fate hangs in balance
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SAA pilot in cocaine bust
Cape Town - South African Airways management is locked in a meeting to decide the next step following the arrest of a pilot who allegedly attempted to smuggle 4.5kg cocaine out of the country.
Border police doing a routine baggage check on a plane to London - Flight SA 220 - found cocaine worth at least R1m in a false bottom of a 40-year-old first officer's suitcase on Wednesday.
SAA spokesperson Rich Mkhondo told News24 on Thursday that management would decide what steps to take in conjunction with police's investigation into the matter.
He emphasised that SAA has clear rules on "criminal behaviour" among its employees, and, if found guilty, the pilot would be suspended. He could, however, not comment on whether or not the suspect would lose his pilot's license.
Police spokesperson Ettiene Terblanche said is was not clear whether the drugs were destined for Britain or Europe.
He could not provide further details on the case as the suspect has not yet appeared in court.