Self-confessed ANC b*tch and SABC manager Nobuntu 'Nobs' Mkhize now in hot soup, new shocking claims emerge at Police Station

Nobuntu “Nobs” Mkhize, the SABC brand manager who gained notoriety for her disruptive behaviour on a FlySafair flight, finds herself facing even more serious accusations.

New claims have emerged, leading to additional criminal charges filed against her at Bishop Lavis Police Station. The initial incident, which saw Mkhize banned for life from FlySafair after a Boxing Day altercation with flight attendants, has now taken a far more serious turn.

A video of the incident, which went viral on social media, showed Mkhize engaging in a heated confrontation with flight attendants and fellow passengers. Her behaviour escalated from verbal abuse to physical aggression, punctuated by repeated invocations of her association with the African National Congress (ANC).

"You don’t even know who my father is, I’m an ANC b*tch,” she shouted, adding that the incident would be broadcast on SABC News.

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#Flysafair DBN to CPT 26 December 2024 Boxing day staying true to it's name🔥

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FlySafair swiftly responded, issuing a lifetime ban. Chief marketing officer Kirby Gordon stated: "This passenger will be placed on our no-fly list and will not be welcome on future FlySafair flights," adding, "We condemn any behaviour of this nature. Flight attendants have a primary duty as safety officers and interfering with their duties is a criminal offence."

The ANC itself also condemned Mkhize's behaviour, stating that her actions were unacceptable regardless of her party affiliation.

Following the flight’s landing in Cape Town, Mkhize was arrested and initially charged under the Civil Aviation Act for disruptive behaviour. However, the situation has intensified. Emmridge September, 24, a flight attendant, laid crimen injuria charges against Mkhize, supported by DA provincial leader Tertuis Simmers and Subcouncil 4 chairperson Franchesca Walker.

Simmers expressed his outrage: “It cannot be that somebody can verbally assault a young woman like that and nothing is done. We must stand up and she [Mkhize] must be held accountable for her actions.”

Walker, who accompanied September to the police station, was shocked by the additional details September provided: “She is a young, intelligent and beautiful woman from Eerste River and was so slim to collect all the evidence… What makes this worse is that she reported that there were other comments made that didn’t make it to social media. She told the police that Mkhize even said to the flight attendants that coloured women were only good enough for spreading their legs, while she would be going to sip champagne in Camps Bay.”

These new allegations include claims that Mkhize made racist and derogatory remarks towards the flight attendants, specifically targeting women from Mitchells Plain. According to September's statement to the police, Mkhize insulted the women, calling them uneducated and incapable of driving or owning cars. The extremely offensive comments about coloured women were also included in the statement.

The SABC, Mkhize's employer, has acknowledged the matter and stated that it is being addressed according to internal policies. Spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo said: “While we acknowledge the public’s interest in this issue, we must respect the employment relationship governed by Labour Law. As a result, specific details regarding this matter cannot be disclosed publicly.”

The Patriotic Alliance has also intervened, writing to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) to request an investigation into Mkhize's actions. Western Cape Chief Whip Cheslyn Steenberg stated: “We are giving the HRC 90 days to attend to the matter and then we will follow up.”

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has received a report from FlySafair and is conducting its own investigation. Director of aviation Poppy Khoza highlighted that assaulting or intimidating cabin crew is a violation of the Civil Aviation Act, punishable by up to six months imprisonment.

Mkhize, however, maintains her innocence, claiming she was not intoxicated and intends to sue both the airline and the SAPS. She told News24 that she was upset by the flight staff's refusal to serve her a specific drink and alleged that a flight attendant spoke about her in isiXhosa. She also claimed she was mistreated due to her race.

She acknowledges raising her voice and using offensive language but claims it was a reaction to feeling “traumatised and in defence mode” due to perceived discriminatory behaviour.

The incident continues to unfold, with the legal processes now underway and the public awaiting the outcome. The gravity of the new allegations against Mkhize has significantly escalated the situation, moving beyond a simple disruption on a flight to encompass serious accusations of racism and verbal assault.