Stephen Mokoka

South Africa’s Stephen Mokoka broke the men’s 50km world record in Gqeberha on Sunday – in his first race at the distance! Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

Man booted off FlySafair flight identified as top SA Olympian

The passenger ejected from a FlySafair flight earlier this week has been identified as top South African runner Stephen Mokoka.

Stephen Mokoka

South Africa’s Stephen Mokoka broke the men’s 50km world record in Gqeberha on Sunday – in his first race at the distance! Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

The passenger ejected from a FlySafair flight earlier this week has been identified as top South African runner Stephen Mokoka.

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Mokoka was escorted off the plane set to leave Cape Town for Johannesburg for not wearing a mask.

Mokoka was removed from the plane by the flight crew, but managed to cause considerable disruption before being hauled off.

He was captured on video swearing at staff and other passengers who cheered when he was ultimately left behind. 

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FlySafair’s policy is that all passengers wear masks for the duration of their time on the airline’s aircrafts in a bid to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Stephen Mokoka is four-time winner of the Shanghai Marathon between 2013 and 2017.

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He also competed in the marathon at the 2012 London Olympics and in the 10 000m at the 2016 Rio Games.