togabutton
13th Oct 2002, 14:16
Spotted this on www.news24.com Apologies if its old news, but it made me FURIOUS. Perhaps I am over reacting, but the first thing I thought was how long before meglomaniac fools like the one in the article start succombing to the myopic practice of closing down airports while they meet and greet. This practice is quite popular in OTHER parts of Africa where I remember spending many an unhappy logbook entry orbiting over NDBs because of so called "VIP arrivals of departures". I believe it is only one chromosome pair that separates us from our primate friends, but I have seen startling displays in Africa to suggest otherwise. When it comes to the security of our flight, NOBODY is above the law, what say you folk?
Sigcau charged for temper(Gerhard de Bruin )
Durban - Sparks flew at the airport here when Minister of Public Works Stella Sigcau allegedly slapped a security guard in a fit of temper last week.
Johannes Mtolo, a guard employed by Fidelity Springbok Security Services at the airport, retaliated by laying a complaint with police in which he alleged Sigcau had assaulted him on October 1.
He filed the charge on the Tuesday but withdrew it the next day, apparently due to pressure from security personnel deployed by the Airport Company of South Africa (Acsa).
The alleged incident took place after the minister arrived at Durban airport on flight 543 from Johannesburg.
Sigcau apparently spotted one of her relatives walking on the apron towards a British Airways aircraft.
She wanted to greet the woman and was prevented by the guard from leaving the airport building through the security door which she had just entered.
Charge withdrawn
According to a signed affidavit in City Press's possession, Sigcau pushed the security guard after he tried to stop her and moments later slapped him when he attempted to grab her by the arm.
By then Sigcau was already outside the airport building.
A violent argument ensued between the minister and the security guard before a British Airways crew member and an Acsa employee stepped in.
Sigcau was furious and is said to have demanded a written apology from Mtolo on her ministerial desk in Pretoria by the next morning otherwise she would make "life very uncomfortable for him".
Acsa personnel escorted the irate minister to the VIP lounge, where they tried to calm her down.
Mtolo and a Fidelity Springbok Security Services supervisor were summoned by Acsa security personnel to their office on the Wednesday afternoon, where a meeting was held, soon after which Mtolo withdrew the charge. Acsa denies pressure
Colin Naidoo, an Acsa spokesperson at Durban airport, this week denied that any pressure had been exerted on Mtolo to withdraw the charge.
"I know nothing about allegations of intimidation. In my opinion he did it of his own free will," said Naidoo.
He said he was on the scene shortly after the incident but knew nothing about the alleged slap.
Sigcau's spokesperson, Lucky Muchalibane, confirmed the incident. He said the minister was sorry about the misunderstanding, which he described as a case of "mistaken identity". According to the minister, the matter had been resolved and should be forgotten.
Muchalibane added that Sigcau no longer required a written apology from Mtolo.
Mtolo was not available for comment and his employer said he was on a course.
Neil Burger, manager of Fidelity Springbok Security Services at Durban airport, said he was aware of the incident.
Mtolo would submit a report when he returned from the course and an investigation would then be conducted, Burger said.
Sigcau charged for temper(Gerhard de Bruin )
Durban - Sparks flew at the airport here when Minister of Public Works Stella Sigcau allegedly slapped a security guard in a fit of temper last week.
Johannes Mtolo, a guard employed by Fidelity Springbok Security Services at the airport, retaliated by laying a complaint with police in which he alleged Sigcau had assaulted him on October 1.
He filed the charge on the Tuesday but withdrew it the next day, apparently due to pressure from security personnel deployed by the Airport Company of South Africa (Acsa).
The alleged incident took place after the minister arrived at Durban airport on flight 543 from Johannesburg.
Sigcau apparently spotted one of her relatives walking on the apron towards a British Airways aircraft.
She wanted to greet the woman and was prevented by the guard from leaving the airport building through the security door which she had just entered.
Charge withdrawn
According to a signed affidavit in City Press's possession, Sigcau pushed the security guard after he tried to stop her and moments later slapped him when he attempted to grab her by the arm.
By then Sigcau was already outside the airport building.
A violent argument ensued between the minister and the security guard before a British Airways crew member and an Acsa employee stepped in.
Sigcau was furious and is said to have demanded a written apology from Mtolo on her ministerial desk in Pretoria by the next morning otherwise she would make "life very uncomfortable for him".
Acsa personnel escorted the irate minister to the VIP lounge, where they tried to calm her down.
Mtolo and a Fidelity Springbok Security Services supervisor were summoned by Acsa security personnel to their office on the Wednesday afternoon, where a meeting was held, soon after which Mtolo withdrew the charge. Acsa denies pressure
Colin Naidoo, an Acsa spokesperson at Durban airport, this week denied that any pressure had been exerted on Mtolo to withdraw the charge.
"I know nothing about allegations of intimidation. In my opinion he did it of his own free will," said Naidoo.
He said he was on the scene shortly after the incident but knew nothing about the alleged slap.
Sigcau's spokesperson, Lucky Muchalibane, confirmed the incident. He said the minister was sorry about the misunderstanding, which he described as a case of "mistaken identity". According to the minister, the matter had been resolved and should be forgotten.
Muchalibane added that Sigcau no longer required a written apology from Mtolo.
Mtolo was not available for comment and his employer said he was on a course.
Neil Burger, manager of Fidelity Springbok Security Services at Durban airport, said he was aware of the incident.
Mtolo would submit a report when he returned from the course and an investigation would then be conducted, Burger said.