Pilot who stripped at airport delaying passengers for five hours fined Sh1,800

HARARE ZIMBABWE: A South African Airways (SAA) pilot was arrested after he lost his temper and stripped down to his underwear at Zimbabwe's Harare International airport. 

Captain W van Ginkel reportedly lost his temper during a security screening process on Tuesday morning.

The metal scanner beeped when the pilot passed through it, after which he had to remove his shoes.

Upon beeping again, he was asked to remove his belt.

This sparked an outburst by Van Ginkel, who stripped down to his underwear, according to a Zimbabwean newspaper The Herald. He was arrested for the incident.

The report said that the flight was delayed by over five hours after questions were raised regarding Van Ginkel's state of mind. A new crew was called in.

Van Ginkel has been charged with nuisance, receiving a fine before being released and later apologised for the incident, saying that it was a mistake.

The pilot, who has been with SAA for 19 years was fined about Sh1, 800 (R215) and then released.

South African Airways has since apologised to its passengers, who were delayed by the incident.

SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali is quoted as saying that the airline would investigate the incident "in order to fully understand the circumstances that led to the conduct complained of".

"Once we have all the information, we will decide on what course of action to take."