A popular Ground Handling Company, SAHCO, has cleared the air on an allegation by a yet-to-be-identified worker of the company who claimed that his phone was smashed after a superior officer of the company saw him video recording a social media activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman.

In a 28-second video sighted by our correspondent, the unnamed worker, who was wearing the SAHCO reflective jacket and also hanging his identity card, claimed that his phone was smashed after his superior saw him recording Verydarkman.

is video was, however, to thank the popular social media influencer for replacing his Android phone with an iPhone.

The worker, who spoke in pidgin, said, “Thanks to the Ratel gang, VDM. He was dancing at the airport, and I was videoing him. Then, one of my Oga came and smashed my phone, saying why was I videoing him? So, he (VDM) just said they should find that boy, and he gave me an iPhone XR. Thank you, VDM, this early morning o.”

Contacted, the company’s spokesperson, Mrs Vanessa Uansohia, responded via chat with a disclaimer, saying the worker’s phone got damaged during an altercation with airport security personnel.

She also said the worker was not a staff member of SAHCO but an ad-hoc staff member of the company.

While disclaiming the claims by the worker, Uansohia said, “Our attention has been drawn to a trending video involving VDM, in which an individual claims that his phone, allegedly smashed by his boss, was replaced by VDM. We wish to clarify that the information presented in the video is incorrect.

“The individual featured is not a SAHCO staff member. He is an ad hoc worker, and his phone was not smashed by any SAHCO staff or supervisor. The damage to his phone resulted from an interaction with airport security personnel, not from anyone affiliated with SAHCO.

“We urge the public to disregard the misleading claims circulating online. SAHCO remains committed to transparency and to maintaining a respectful and truthful relationship with the public.”