Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has noted recent media coverage concerning a security incident involving a passenger who departed from O.R. Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) and was later found in possession of two training hand grenades upon arrival at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
We can confirm that ACSA was formally notified of the incident by Ethiopian Airlines, in line with international aviation protocols, after the items were detected during reverse baggage screening upon arrival. In accordance with national regulatory procedures, ACSA subsequently reported the matter to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
The Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) area where the security lapse occurred falls under the operational control of Aviation Coordination Services (Pty) Ltd (ACS), a third-party entity under the control of airline associations, namely the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) and the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA).
ACS claims that the responsibility for HBS rests with the airlines. ACSA’s position, which is also shared by SACAA, is that ACSA, as the licensed aerodrome operator, is responsible for conducting HBS services on behalf of the State.
ACSA made the decision to terminate ACS’s services on grounds that ACS has no legal basis or contract to carry out HBS services. Moreover, ACS is operating contrary to public procurement legislation.
Notwithstanding these legal issues, ACS is responsible for this lapse in security and has also accepted liability for the incident. Further ACS instituted disciplinary proceedings against the employee responsible for the security breach.
Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) Historical context.
The HBS service was taken over from ACSA in around 1998 under questionable circumstances – consequently, ACSA has reported this matter to the DPCI, SIU and the Auditor General of South Africa.
ACS operates on an evergreen basis with no contract and is not an entity recognised in any civil aviation legislation or subject to any legal regulation. The operation of ACS is contrary to, inter alia, section 217 of the Constitution, Public Finance Management Act, National Key Points Act, the ACSA Act and the Civil Aviation Act and Regulations.
To ensure compliance with the Constitution and its legislative mandate, ACSA decided to provide the services itself and, for transparency, has issued a tender to purchase the necessary equipment. ACS successfully launched a Court challenge against ACSA to interdict ACSA from implementing the insourcing decision pending finalisation of a court review of ACSA’s decision. The interdict precludes ACSA from executing its mandate insofar as it pertains to operating the entire HBS. ACSA has been granted leave to appeal the interdict, and a date for the appeal is yet to be set.
ACSA’s Security Interventions
ACSA has implemented enhanced security interventions in collaboration with law enforcement and intelligence partners, Border Management Agency (BMA), State Security Agency (SSA), South African Police Service (SAPS), SAPS Crime Intelligence, National Key Point authorities, and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD). These include increased surveillance across critical zones and the establishment of joint planning and oversight forums as well as ongoing training to mitigate the risk of recurrence.
ACSA reiterates its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all passengers, and airport users. We continue to work closely with all relevant airlines and authorities to resolve operational risks and to safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s national aviation infrastructure.
For further information or media inquiries, please contact:
ACSA Media Desk
Mediadesk@airports.co.za
Adele Nkomo
Acting Senior Manager: Corporate Communications
Adele.Nkomo@airports.co.za
Issued by Airports Company South Africa
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