Brazilian Pilots in SA for the G20 Summit Learn the Hard Way After Failing to Pay Prostitutes

Brazilian Pilots in Sandton Bust-Up After Alleged Dispute With Two Women Over Unpaid Services

Two Brazilian pilots who had apparently arrived in South Africa for the G20 Leadership Summit found themselves caught up in a bizarre altercation in the early hours of yesterday morning, after two women – believed to be prostitutes – allegedly forced their way into an e-hailing vehicle and demanded payment for services they offered.

The incident, which unfolded in Sandton, north of Johannesburg, became serious enough that the pilots abandoned their Uber and began walking towards their hotel in Kempton Park before police officers intervened. The entire episode was noted in the Sandton Police Station occurrence book (OB), which details the officers’ version of events and the conflicting stories provided by the parties involved.

According to the OB entry, the confrontation occurred at about 4am when members of the Safer City Patrols were carrying out routine monitoring duties. A Col Mohlanga reportedly received a call from Sgt Mnisi, who had encountered the two pilots walking along South Road in Morningside. The men, who appeared distressed, told police they had left their Uber because two African women had forced themselves into the vehicle and begun arguing with them.

“Allegedly, they abandoned their Uber ride as two African females forced themselves into their Uber. The two ladies were having an argument with the pilots. The argument was as a result of one of the ladies allegedly wanting money from one of the pilots,” the OB stated.

The OB further recorded that once officers located the women and questioned them, they presented a different account of what had led to the clash. According to the women, they had spent the night partying with the pilots in various Sandton clubs. One of the women claimed that one of the pilots had promised her R2 500 for “hosting them” once they reached their destination in Kempton Park. She alleged that this arrangement was the basis on which she accompanied the pilots and why she expected to be transported with them to their hotel.

“The pilots then changed their minds and did not want the ladies to accompany them to their hotel,” the OB stated.

The situation reportedly escalated when one of the women became enraged over the alleged unpaid promise. She is said to have demanded 30% of the agreed amount from the pilots after they informed her they no longer wished for the women to travel with them. The confrontation grew loud enough that passing members of the public contacted the police, prompting the swift arrival of patrol officers.

By the time police engaged all parties, both the pilots and the women were adamant that the others were at fault. To de-escalate tensions, officers ordered everyone involved to accompany them to the Sandton Police Station for formal statements.

“The members brought the two pilots and the ladies to the Sandton Police Station,” the OB recorded.

However, the matter took another turn once they reached the station. According to the OB, the women suddenly changed their position and denied having demanded any money from the pilots. This abrupt reversal made it difficult for police to establish a clear sequence of events.

Complicating matters further was a language barrier that prevented officers from taking detailed statements from the Brazilian visitors. The OB notes that “statements could not be obtained from the pilots due to the language barrier”. With the women withdrawing their allegations and the pilots expressing their desire to end the matter without further action, police decided not to register a case.

“The two pilots were satisfied and did not want any further engagements with the ladies. No case docket was registered,” the OB stated.

Despite the unusual nature of the incident and the questions it raises about the men’s activities ahead of the high-level summit, police have offered no additional clarity. National police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe had not responded to written queries at the time of publication.

The incident has highlighted the sometimes unpredictable environment in Sandton during major international events, where foreign visitors, nightlife hotspots, and opportunistic encounters can create combustible situations. While no official charges were laid and all parties ultimately walked away from police custody, the episode left a brief but embarrassing mark on what should have been a routine visit by foreign delegates.

The two pilots, whose identities have not yet been released, were reportedly on their way back to their accommodation when the confrontation erupted. Police have not indicated whether the men later returned safely to their hotel or whether any hotel staff were contacted to assist them following the encounter.

For now, the bizarre early-morning dispute has been closed with no further action from law-enforcement authorities. But its detailed recording in the Sandton occurrence book ensures the events of that morning remain noted — a reminder of how quickly a night of socialising can spiral into an international faux pas.