It really could be a nightmare scenario. And not far-fetched at all. Drugs could be intentionally placed into your suitcase and the cops at the destination tipped off - as a decoy to distract attention while another mule sails through undetected. (This ploy has evidently been used - but it was another, dispensable mule who was sacrificed rather than an innocent pax.)

More and more I refuse to travel with bags that have moveable zips. Or I have them plastic-wrapped. (And to think I used to despise those once-a-decade flyers who had their luggage wrapped in plastic. How are the mighty humbled!)

BTW the problem of luggage tampering is rife at JNB. Don't even think about checking vulnerable luggage from there.