OWN CORRESPONDENT, Pretoria | Wednesday
RED-FACED South African police have been forced into a humiliating apology after a mock hostage drama – which they reported as real – was broadcast to the world at large by unsuspecting local and international media.
The incident has sparked outrage amongst the media, members of the public and even some police officials.
National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi told journalists who rushed to Wonderboom airport north of Pretoria that they had been fooled.
“This is an exercise by the police. Whoever told you about it, put you on a wild goose chase. You were misled. I don’t know what you are doing here.”
Police spokesmen had earlier in all seriousness told the media that a lone gunman had taken nine people of “Eastern origin” hostage in a DC-10 aircraft parked at the airport and demanded that the plane refuel.
They added that the gunman had pointed a weapon at the passengers as they were boarding the 30-seater aircraft and that a woman’s screams and three loud explosions had been heard.
Defence force personnel at an adjacent military base had also confirmed that a hostage drama was in progress.
After the truth came out, Deputy National Commissioner Andre Pruis offered the media an apology. “We did not mean to set you up.”
Selebi’s admission sparked anger among the media who had reported the hostage drama as real, and confusion in police circles.
Andre Martin, the spokesman for Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete, said: “I do not know what is going on. I cannot get hold of the commissioner or his spokeswoman. I know as little as you guys.”
Independent e.tv television news appeared reluctant to accept Selebi’s explanation, saying there had been conflicting reports from him and several policemen.
The chairman of the Pretoria Press Club, Yusuf Abramjee, called for action to be taken against those who had fed the media false reports.
“This is a waste of time and money and millions of South Africans have been fooled into believing that there was a dangerous situation,” Abramjee said.
It caused panic not only for South Africans but also for overseas tourists as the “hostage drama” news was spread internationally, he added.
Superintendent Morne van Wyk, who had helped handle media enquiries, later conceded: “I was aware that it was training but I was trying to keep it real.” – AFP