Incident sparks debate over airline regulations and allegations of racial profiling

In a recent event that has captured widespread attention on social media, South African TV star Shamiso Mosaka was escorted off a CemAir flight from Durban to Johannesburg, citing “unruly” behaviour. The incident, which led to a 90-minute delay, has become a focal point of discussion, with many expressing their support for Mosaka.

CemAir, the airline involved, stated that the removal was necessary due to Mosaka’s refusal to comply with safety regulations, prompting the pilot to halt the aircraft’s engines. Despite this claim, Mosaka, who took to Instagram Live to document the event, insists on her innocence, asserting that she was not being disruptive. With a following of over 140,000 on Instagram and a role as a presenter on MTV Base South Africa, Mosaka’s live broadcast of the incident quickly gained traction online.

During the live stream, police officers can be seen requesting Mosaka to leave the plane, a demand she resists until assurances of an alternative flight arrangement are made—an offer the airline crew did not fulfil. Throughout the ordeal, Mosaka sought to validate her behaviour through the support of fellow passengers and suggested that the altercation might have been racially motivated, a claim the airline firmly denies.

Laura van der Molen, CemAir’s Chief Financial Officer, emphasized that the situation was not a case of racial profiling but rather a matter of failing to abide by airline protocols. According to The Citizen, the matter has now been escalated to the South African police for further investigation and possible legal action, with the airline vowing full cooperation.

The incident, which unfolded at King Shaka Zulu International Airport, raises important questions about airline safety procedures, passenger conduct, and the fine line between regulation enforcement and potential racial bias. As the community and Mosaka’s supporters voice their opinions, the outcome of the police investigation is eagerly awaited, potentially setting a precedent for similar cases in the future.