Originally Posted by
flyerCO
proof of onward travel is a requirement for entry. So is birth certificate. They meet all but one requirement. As noted as JNB was ticketed destination they needed to be able to meet entry requirements. The fact the airport is setup to allow one to skip immigration is irrelevant. Some airlines won't check you in at the gate when starting a new ticket. Passenger could decide to skip the HRE flight, etc... Bottom line they didn't meet entry requirements. If they had been an actual transit passenger they would have meet requirements.
That is not the bottom line. OP was an actual transit passenger. The ticketed destination was HRE. When transit requirements are less stringent than entry requirements, it is not necessary to "meet entry requirements." AF goofed, and should pay OP compensation. In my opinion.