The case against Springbok rugby player, Elton Jantjies, accused of being unruly on a flight from Turkey, was “provisionally withdrawn” at the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court, the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) said Friday.
Jantjies was initially charged with malicious injury to property (MITP) and Contravention of the Aviation Act.
The 31-year-old Springbok fly-half – who was part of the 2019 World Cup-winning squad – was out on R1 000 bail granted at the Kempton Park Police Station, the same day he was arrested.
However, the case was set down for the outcome of representations he lodged with the Senior Public Prosecutor of Kempton Park.
“After careful consideration, the prosecution decided to provisionally withdraw his prosecution pending confirmation of payment for damages caused to the plane, as per undertaking from Jantjies,” said Phindi Mjonondwane, NPA Regional Spokesperson, Gauteng Local Division.
“The prosecution will continue to engage with the complainant (Emirates Airline) to ensure that the accused delivers on his undertaking.”
Jantjies was arrested when the plane landed at O.R. Tambo International Airport following complaints from the flight crew about an unruly passenger in business class.
He is also alleged to have broken a television screen, bulb, and a glass that cut his finger, in the business class