Lawyer, businessman sue air line

Sep 21, 2010

A Kampala lawyer and a businessman have sued South African Airways for allegedly marooning them at O.R.Tambo Airport in Johannesburg.

By Hillary Nsambu

A Kampala lawyer and a businessman have sued South African Airways for allegedly marooning them at O.R.Tambo Airport in Johannesburg.

Fredrick Muwema of Muwema, Mugerwa and Company Advocates together with David Lukwago said South African Airways acted negligently, recklessly and unprofessionally by leaving them stranded after they had been cleared and issued with boarding passes.

The plaintiffs, who filed their suit through KSMO Advocates, are seeking compensation of sh60m for expenses incurred on accommodation at Transit Hotel, telephone calls and cost for money transfer to South Africa.

They are also claiming damages for the inconvenience, stress, embarrassment and ridicule suffered at the airport terminal, when verbal exchanges ensued between them and the ground staff, who barred them from boarding the aircraft.

Muwema and Lukwago are also seeking court’s declaration that the air carrier was negligent and in breach of contract. They also want an unconditional apology from the company.

The High Court has asked South African Airways to file a defence within 15 days.

The plaintiffs said on June 17, they checked in at O.R.Tambo Airport on their return journey to Entebbe. Whilst they were in the lounge after having been issued with boarding passes and their luggage checked in, they heard a single announcement for passengers destined for Entebbe to report at Gate No A23 for boarding.

They said they rushed to the gate, but they were stopped by the ground staff, who signalled the Airport shuttle to drive away.

Efforts to get the airways spokesperson for a comment were futile.

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