Nightmare at OR Tambo

Issue #132, 1st October 2010


Nightmare at OR Tambo

The state may not unfairly discriminate against anyone on the grounds of race, gender, sex or age. Everyone has the right to have their dignity respected and protected. Everyone has the right to freedom, which includes the right not to be treated in a degrading way. But...

"Pretty girl + travelling alone = suspicious," says customs official.

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Reader's comments

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Submitted by : Hans on 2010-10-18 14:25:08
Some years ago my wife and I arrived back at OR Tambo from a week in Mauritius. It cost me nearly an hour to explain to customs officials that the notebook I had with me was not new! Everything was searched, even my wallet was emptied out, they were rude, I was patient. The new (by now old) South Africa. Tired of all these problems.
 
Submitted by : Michael J on 2010-10-17 09:03:41
Mike j : I hope the cameras reveal the procedure in which they carried out this search, surely this is not the way they have been trained... it seems they have not been trained at all (wearing civilian dress), I hope some disciplinary action is carried out , or are they also above the law.
 
Submitted by : Pete on 2010-10-09 13:26:14
I am so sorry we treated you badly, and that we as a nation too often act this way. I'm afraid I think any sort of action will be fruitless, and it may be best to simply "move on", but I would greatly respect you if you decided "no way" and decided to follow through with action. I hope you're able to process and accept that IT'S NOT YOU; It's people who work under poor training, poor supervision and very poor leadership examples - right from the top.
 
Submitted by : Jane on 2010-10-05 19:01:34
A single individual taking on the might of a faceless institution, whether a corporate or the state, simply doesn't stand a chance. There is no justice in the law - it is sad but true. I feel violated on behalf of Lo, but my advice to her would be to let it go and move on. She will FAR sooner rid herself of the pain of it by moving on than by trying to fight a system stacked against her.

Editor's Note
Jane, even Mr. Nose felt violated that's why we told her story with full knowledge that her experience wasn't the first and may not be the last.
 
Submitted by : Brian on 2010-10-03 17:19:01
To sue seems the right thing to do. It can be daunting and expensive.
Perhaps an appropriate organisation could help - POWA for example.
In any event do the affadavit & follow up to see what action is taken.
A SICK STORY ABOUT SICK PEOPLE WHO CANNOT ACCEPT AUTHORITY
WITHOUT ABUSING IT.
 
Submitted by : Karen on 2010-10-03 16:47:57
Lo, what an awful experience. Take them on and get in all the newspapers. Insist that discipilnary action is taken.

Oh yes, can someone ask the SARS arseholes if they have EVER heard of drug sniffer dogs???
 
Submitted by : Mike on 2010-09-30 13:28:13
I agree with mark: SUE THE FILTH !!!
 
Submitted by : Donovan on 2010-09-30 06:55:15
Hmm. In Australia, you will be greeted, the customs official identifies themselves, asks if you are willing to participate in a search, and then proceed. They have name badges and make small talk. Isn't that nice.
 
Submitted by : Mark on 2010-09-29 16:36:16
Sue the bastards! Mark Fysh

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