The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed it is aware of and regrets a recent incident at OR Tambo International Airport where a passenger’s baggage was tampered with and possessions stolen.

ACSA regional general manager Jabulani Khambule says ACSA is co-operating with the relevant airline and baggage handling company to ensure they thoroughly investigate the incident and the perpetrators are brought to book.

“I would like to remind our customers that ACSA has a zero-tolerance approach to criminality and any form of illegal behaviour by airport staff, whether directly employed by ACSA or contracted to work at our airports,” explains Khambule.

ACSA clarified it is not responsible for baggage handling as this is done by the airlines themselves.

Passengers are, therefore, urged to report any incidents of baggage tampering and pilfering to their respective airlines so that an investigation can be carried out.

“While baggage handling is the responsibility of the airlines, ACSA will provide assistance and relevant evidence, such as video footage, to aid the investigation and to bring those responsible to book. I would like to warn all airport staff that illegal or criminal behaviour will result in serious consequences,” says Khambule.

He points out that ACSA could confirm a video currently circulating on social media about baggage pilfering at the international airport was an incident that took place four years ago.

The employee involved was prosecuted and dismissed at the time of the incident.

“I would like to reiterate that ACSA seeks to deter and fight fraud, corruption, dishonesty and theft of any kind,” says Khambule.

“ACSA recently adopted an integrated, multi-agency safety and security approach throughout our airport network to enhance airport and aviation security.

“We have rolled out an aviation security model that is vertically and horizontally integrated with various law enforcement authorities to root out criminality at our airports.”