Johannesburg – The South African Broadcasting Corporation says it has noted with concern, audio-visual material circulating on various social media platforms featuring a staff member travelling on a South African airline, FlySafair.
The unsavoury incident, recorded by several passengers on the flight, occurred on a flight from Durban to Cape Town on Boxing Day.
In a statement on Saturday, (28 December 2024), the SABC said it “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.
“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 noneditorial staff members,” the public broadcaster said.
The SABC added that it will use relevant channels in line with its internal procedures to engage the staff member.
The SABC staffer’s actions drew criticism from the African National Congress (ANC).
In a statement on Saturday, the ANC said it “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”.
The ANC added that it “categorically distances itself from such behaviour, which is contrary to the values and principles of our movement.
“Regardless of whether the 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.
“We have initiated an investigation into her membership status.”
The SABC staffer has been identified on social media as Nobuntu Nobu Mkhize, who was said to be a brand manager at Metro FM.
The brand manager said on X that she has lawyered up and will be taking legal action.
