Big Bad Brad arrested

2002-07-22 08:06

Johannesburg - Bad Brad Wood, the controversial former Big Brother television show housemate was arrested at Johannesburg International Airport on Friday, an early edition of the Sunday Times reported.

The report said Wood was pounced on when he passed through a security machine with six spent .50 Desert Eagle handgun cartridges. He was fined R500, but refused to pay and will appear in court on August 28 top fight his case.

The Sunday Times report mentioned that Wood said on Saturday he was about to board a South African Airways flight to Durban about 14:00 when he passed through the security machine with the cartridges in his backpack. He had been at a shooting range and they had apparently fallen into his bag.

Wood said he had not been aware that the cartridges were in his bag. "It's just brass, "but this (security) guy was shouting something like Code 6 - meaning a terrorist attack of something".

Under the Civil Aviation Act, it is illegal to try to take spent cartridges onto a plane. It is feared terrorists could smuggle firearm components on board in this way. The offence carries a maximum fine of R500 or six month's imprisonment. The legislation is being reviewed.

The Sunday Times also reported that Wood said he had apologised but still had to appear in court. "I think they're also claiming assault, or resisting arrest.

"I'll be taking it up with SAA. They have no case whatsoever. This security company is giving SAA a bad image."

But SAA spokesperson Rich Mkhondo said it had nothing to do with SAA as it had happened before Wood boarded his plane.

Paul O'Sullivan, group executive for Aviation Security, contracted to provide security for Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa), said the spent cartridges were found when Wood presented himself at a central search point. "There was a bit of animosity between the gentleman and our security guards, upon which he was arrested.

O'Sullivan said the arrest was in line with Acsa's zero tolerance campaign.

- SAPA