A Lanseria International Airport employee received a final written warning for wearing an Economic Freedom Fighters beret at work.
Lydia Leotlela, 32, an executive lounge supervisor who only recently joined Julius Malema's party, said she had written a letter of apology for wearing the beret.
A flight captain complained to her superiors about the EFF beret she wore with her uniform on September 30 while checking in passengers from a flight at the airport.
"I think the punishment is harsh, but it will not stop me from wearing the EFF beret. I will just not wear it with my uniform to work," Leotlela after a disciplinary hearing on Thursday.
Members of the EFF's provincial "command team" arrived at the airport outside Johannesburg on Thursday to show support "for their sister in the revolution", but did not picket against the outcome of the hearing.
"We are disappointed about what happened," said EFF spokesman Patrick Sindane.
"What is it that people are scared of? Why are they targeting those who wear the red beret of the EFF? I will tell you, it is because they know something big is coming," he said, referring to next year's general elections.