Disappointing flight experience

My sister had her hand luggage suitcase damaged, opened and valuables ****** when she landed at OR Tambo on 14/12/2023. As she got checked in, she kept her hand luggage to onboard her flight and was then advised by the staff to leave her luggage at the boarding gate. This meant that she wasn’t asked if there was valuables as the normal occurrence when luggage is checked in. The staff said that they will check it in. When she landed and the luggage came on the carousel, she noticed the zip of her suitcase opened. When she removed the suitcase, she checked it and noticed that it was opened. Upon inspection, a Samsung Tablet was removed with box even though it was packed underneath her clothing. A jewellery box was opened and several pieces of gold rings, earrings & necklaces was taken from the jewellery box. This box was opened and closed again with some pieces left. So, when one travels, you do not think to travel with invoices of the items that was purchased. She claimed for all the ****** items including the damaged suitcase that was still locked and only the suitcase lock was replaced. This happened quite quick on the side of Emirates Airline.

However, for all the ****** items, they decided that this was worthless to replace since no receipts or invoices could be produced to have a valid claim. How does one travel with receipts for one’s valuables when going on holiday. And now Emirates decided to settle the value of ****** items to 100SAR (R490). How appalling, since some of the valuables was gifts and others bought only a few months ago to the total value of 4950SAR (R24500). If the luggage wasn’t code locked I think we could talk about negligence on passenger account. But the luggage lock was broken & damaged to gain access by staff of the airline.

As consumers, we are made to believe that we cannot take on such corporates because we will lose. It’s clear that Emirates staff gets away with such horrible ethics and blames passengers with their travel policies as this passenger had hand luggage wanting to take onboard & the ****s of Emirates targeted her luggage coming from Saudi Arabia to SA & said that they will check it in.

All I ask is that the value of the items be replaced as the Samsung Tablet was supposed to be a gift for her mother. Imagine that disappointment. Too many passengers complaining about Emirates Airlines of late due to such behaviour from staff. If it doesn’t get lost, it gets damaged. Do better Emirates