LOCAL authorities have warned against making jokes about being in possession of explosives at an airport.
This follows the arrests of two people who allegedly made bomb threats at the East London Airport.
In the latest incident, Shashika Jugmohan, a Stirling woman, is alleged to have made bomb threats after being asked some security related questions about her baggage by airline staff.
Police said the woman had in fact joked that they could not find an explosive device in her possession.
Jugmohan spent a weekend behind bars until her court appearance last week. She was released on bail and the matter was postponed to April 17.
Police spokesperson Hazel Mqala said because of the large number of people at airports and malls, making such jokes was never amusing and always had to be taken seriously.
“These places are exposed to security risks; staff at airports understand that and police are phoned immediately.
“Even if a person says it is a joke, it is taken seriously because we cannot risk people’s safety.
“The community must take this seriously. An airport is not the place for making bomb jokes.
“It is illegal,” she said.
Advocate Charles Stamper said that according to the Civil Aviation Act of 2009, the penalty for such threats is not even a fine; it is immediate arrest.
“A threat is regarded as an attempt and the penalty for an attempt is a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment.
“The authorities take this seriously and it cannot be emphasised enough that people cannot joke like that.
“Even if a person is found, by the court, to have been joking one must consider the implications thereof. They will have to go through the entire court process for something they could have avoided,” Stamper said.
East London attorney Henry van Breda said that after the attacks by the al-Qaeda terrorist group on the United States in New York City and Washington DC on September 11 2001, airport security worldwide was tightened.
“Even our legislation takes this seriously. If one is found guilty they face a prison sentence, but it can be suspended.
“Airport staff never take it as a joke. People tend to make stupid jokes that can land them in a lot of trouble.
“From the airport side, they always contact the police and it is up to the prosecution to decide on whether or not they have a case to prosecute. It is very serious,” he said.
Details surrounding a man who was arrested last month for making bomb threats at the East London Airport are unclear.
A check on court records revealed that the man has not yet appeared in court following his February 21 arrest.
Until his court appearance he may not be named.
Police could not say why the man had not appeared in court and the man himself would neither confirm nor deny his appearance.
Mqala said: “It is very strange that he did not appear in court. We are going to investigate.”—
Severe penalty for ‘bomb’ jokes
This follows the arrests of two people who allegedly made bomb threats at the East London Airport.
In the latest incident, Shashika Jugmohan, a Stirling woman, is alleged to have made bomb threats after being asked some security related questions about her baggage by airline staff.
Police said the woman had in fact joked that they could not find an explosive device in her possession.
Jugmohan spent a weekend behind bars until her court appearance last week. She was released on bail and the matter was postponed to April 17.
Police spokesperson Hazel Mqala said because of the large number of people at airports and malls, making such jokes was never amusing and always had to be taken seriously.
“These places are exposed to security risks; staff at airports understand that and police are phoned immediately.
“Even if a person says it is a joke, it is taken seriously because we cannot risk people’s safety.
“The community must take this seriously. An airport is not the place for making bomb jokes.
“It is illegal,” she said.
Advocate Charles Stamper said that according to the Civil Aviation Act of 2009, the penalty for such threats is not even a fine; it is immediate arrest.
“A threat is regarded as an attempt and the penalty for an attempt is a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment.
“The authorities take this seriously and it cannot be emphasised enough that people cannot joke like that.
“Even if a person is found, by the court, to have been joking one must consider the implications thereof. They will have to go through the entire court process for something they could have avoided,” Stamper said.
East London attorney Henry van Breda said that after the attacks by the al-Qaeda terrorist group on the United States in New York City and Washington DC on September 11 2001, airport security worldwide was tightened.
“Even our legislation takes this seriously. If one is found guilty they face a prison sentence, but it can be suspended.
“Airport staff never take it as a joke. People tend to make stupid jokes that can land them in a lot of trouble.
“From the airport side, they always contact the police and it is up to the prosecution to decide on whether or not they have a case to prosecute. It is very serious,” he said.
Details surrounding a man who was arrested last month for making bomb threats at the East London Airport are unclear.
A check on court records revealed that the man has not yet appeared in court following his February 21 arrest.
Until his court appearance he may not be named.
Police could not say why the man had not appeared in court and the man himself would neither confirm nor deny his appearance.
Mqala said: “It is very strange that he did not appear in court. We are going to investigate.”—
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