South African DJ and public figure Shamiso was asked to leave a cemAIR flight after a hostess heard her use vulgar language.
Shamiso gets removed from cemAIR
Shamiso was on a flight from Durban to Johannesburg on cemAIR when the DJ found herself in a standoff with the police. An air hostess allegedly reported her for using vulgar language and the South African Police Service (SAPS) was called. The air hostess allegedly heard Shamiso say “wtf” while on a phone call with a friend. To Shamiso’s surprise, she was approached by several police officers asking her to leave the flight.
Shamiso refuses to leave CemAir flight
After being approached by the cops, Shamiso demanded that they ask fellow travellers for the full story of what happened before trying to force her out. She also speculated that the main reason she was being kicked off the flight is because the hostess and/or entire flight team was racist:
“They are racist… I can’t think of any other explanation. Or they don’t like other pretty women because you’re both pretty but you’re racist as f**k” said the social media personality as the SAPS continued to press her to leave the flight.
Shamiso initially refused to exit the flight, demanding that they book her an alternative flight and provide proof of the booking.
Witnesses defend Shamiso to no avail
In the video shared on Shamiso’s live, fellow passengers try to come to the musicians defence, but she was still forced to leave the flight. Additionally, many Twitter users who were reportedly on the flight, shared their views in defence of the DJ, many saying what they witnessed was unfair treatment of Shamiso.
“I was there too, I saw everything ,I am so mad at the police all of them, we told them the whole story but still chased her out of the plane” said @NokwaneleS90653
“Hi I am the guy who was sitting in front of you, please if you ever need witnesses I am available. We fought even after they tricked you out of the flight. We were also threatened to be thrown out cause of sticking out for you” said @DaButchstar
Can you be removed from a plane for vulgar language?
Many debated after a Twitter user @dineoThulii tweeted that using the F word, is actually not allowed on flights and fliers should educate themselves on the list of prohibited words/language. According to an American Fare Compare travel blog, she is not incorrect. Using profane language is on of the main ways that can guarantee getting kicked off a plane.
Fare Compare reported that Robert Sayegh of Brooklyn was booted of a Delta flight June 12, 2011, for using the f-bombs in a conversation with a fellow passengers
Mail & Guardian 200 Young Attorney gives SA insight
Nonhlanhla M (@attorney_bae) on Twitter took to the platform to provide some much needed clarification on aviation rules/laws in South Africa. As the attorney shares, according to the Civil Aviation Act, these are things that can actually get you kicked off a plane:
“1. Any act of violence, including assault (physical/verbal) against any passenger/crew member;
2.Interfering with the commission of a crew members duties;
3. Interference with the operation of an aircraft;
4. Nuisance/disorderly/indecent acts – in a state of intoxication/ in a violent manner towards crew members;
5. Wilfully destroying/damaging an aircraft; and
7. Communicating information that is false, thereby interfering with the operation of an air craft.”
Civil Aviation Act outlines removable offences
The Civil Aviation Act produced by the South African Government indeed supports the breakdown offered by Nonhlanhla on Twitter. Chapter 11 of the Civil Aviation Act lists some of the reasons why a person may be removed from a flight.
“Nuisance , disorderly or indecent act on board any aircraft” is detailed by the act as the following:
- A person who on board any aircraft—
(a) commits any nuisance or disorderly or indecent act;
(b) is in a state of intoxication; or
(c) behaves in a violent manner towards any person including a crew member
which is likely to endanger the safety or security of the aircraft or of any
person on board such aircraftis guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.