April 15 2002 at 09:12PM
By Siyabonga Mkhwanazi
Two South African businessmen who were unceremoniously ordered off an SAA flight to London at Johannesburg International Airport last week have vowed to take legal action.
Zeyn Jabwat and Yunus Bobat say they were ejected from the plane after a first-class passenger demanded that they be kicked off because they looked "suspicious".
The two are Muslims.
After the unidentified passenger's demand, the captain ordered both Jabawt and Bobat to produce their passports again at customs.
The flight, which was initially scheduled to depart at 8.45pm last Thursday, finally left the airport the next day.
Speaking from London on Monday, Bobat said they were considering taking legal action against the passenger concerned. "We would consider taking it to the Human Rights Commission... because it was discrimination.
"We won't take the matter lying down. It was embarrassing for us to be treated that way," said Bobat.
"The (other) passengers were very upset. They couldn't understand why this man was picking on us," said Bobat.
He said they would begin consultations with their lawyers once they got back to South Africa on Thursday.
An SAA spokesman, Rich Mkhondo, said they were expecting a final report from the flight's captain today to find out what happened.
"At the moment we have contradictory statements because... this is a sensitive issue," said Mkhondo.
He added that the airline would not tolerate anybody making demands to the flight's captain to take action against a passenger based on race or religion.
But it wasn't a passenger who threw them off the plane, it was the pilot. The pilot is not a private individual. He is the captain of the aircraft, and personally responsible for the safety of the passengers. But what can you expect from a commie government like South Africa?
Cdr Susanne Ivannov B5
"Sir, I believe you are a muslim"
"Yes, I am."
"You believe the Koran is the word of God, and binding on all muslims?"
"Yes."
"In the Koran, does God call for the killing of non-believers, and promise those who kill them a reward in heaven?" "Yes, it does." "Your honor, the defense rests."
It would appear that there was sufficient time (at least 3+ hours) for a lot more than the captain or the objecting passanger to have been involved in the decision.
It's kind of like a black man feeling insulted while he's walking down a dark street at night- when someone is afraid of him, does he sue the person who was afraid of him???
If the Muslims want the stigma to be removed from their group, then they'd better start saying something, to condemn (and help apprehend) the true criminals, lest they be judged guilty by association.
Lie with dogs, don't be surprised to have fleas, ya' know???
FReegards,