World Cup winner arrested after incident on flight.
South Africa out-half Elton Jantjies was arrested for “malicious damage to property” on an Emirates flight from Dubai to Johannesburg on Sunday.
According to reports, an incident took place involving Jantjies on flight EK763, resulting in police being called to meet the aircraft upon arrival at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport.
Jantjies, 31, was detained after disembarking the aircraft and later released on a 1,000 rand ($62) bail. He is expected to appear at Kempton Park magistrate’s court on Monday.
“A 31-year-old man has been arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport upon arrival at the airport from Dubai. He allegedly damaged property belonging to the airline,” Gauteng police spokesperson, Colonel Athlenda Mathe, told media outlets.
Emirates did not confirm the details of the incident but did say “an unruly passenger was disruptive on-board the aircraft”.
Jantjies’ agent, James Adams, said the arrest was in relation to a broken light on the plane and the incident had been blown out of proportion.
“We believe that the incident has been unnecessarily heightened,” Adams said in a statement. “Our client, however, remains compliant with the investigation process and will address the matter with the seriousness it beckons.”
Jantjies, who has played 41 times for the Springboks and was part of the 2019 World Cup-winning squad, had been on holiday in Turkey and was in transit through Dubai.
He is expected to be selected for the Springboks squad to face Wales in three home tests in July.
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