Airport security breached as training grenades slip through OR Tambo
Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) is putting stricter measures in place following a security breach at OR Tambo International Airport after a passenger was found in possession of two training hand grenades in Ethiopia.
The Witness reports that the breach came to light when Ethiopian Airlines notified Acsa that a passenger who had departed from OR Tambo International Airport was found with the training grenades during reverse baggage screening at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This triggered immediate reporting to the South African Civil Aviation Authority, as required by national protocols.
'This breach occurred within the hold baggage screening (HBS) area, which is currently under the operational control of Aviation Coordination Services (ACS),' said Acsa in a statement released yesterday.
Acsa has clarified that ACS is a third-party entity governed by the Airlines Association of Southern Africa and the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa.
'ACS has no legal basis or contract to carry out HBS services and operates contrary to public procurement legislation,' said Acsa.
The company has moved to terminate ACS's services, citing violations of the Constitution, the Airports Company Act 44 of 1993, the Civil Aviation Act 13 of 2009 and other regulations.
ACS has accepted liability for the incident and has taken disciplinary action against the employee involved.
In the interim, Acsa said it has ramped up airport security and is collaborating with law enforcement agencies, the Border Management Agency, SAPS, the State Security Agency, and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.
The measures include increased surveillance, enhanced oversight and ongoing staff training to prevent future lapses.
'We remain unwavering in our commitment to passenger safety and aviation integrity,' Acsa stated.
The company has issued a tender to in-source HBS operations. But ACS has launched a court challenge that currently blocks Acsa from implementing this decision.
Acsa has since been granted leave to appeal the interdict.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on witness.co.za
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
MMC vows to take decisive action against illegal traders and road offenders
MMC vows to take decisive action against illegal traders and road offenders The metro won't tolerate lawlessness, and will take decisive action against illegal traders, road offenders, and those found to be in the country unlawfully. This is according to MMC for Community Safety, Hannes Coetzee, who made the remarks following a series of co-ordinated TMPD operations across the metro recently. Coetzee said the operations were aimed at protecting residents, upholding the rule of law, and sending a clear signal to offenders that Tshwane is not a haven for criminal activity. In Winterveldt, TMPD Region 1 Sector 1 officers spearheaded a joint operation targeting the unlawful presence of individuals in the country and the illegal sale of alcohol. The operation resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects, nine for being in the country illegally, and three for trading alcohol without valid licences. According to Coetzee, the arrests demonstrate that the metro is prepared to act decisively against those who disregard regulations, operate outside the legal framework, and exploit vulnerable communities for personal gain. Simultaneously, in Hammanskraal, Sector 1 officers conducted an intensive road safety blitz aimed at increasing compliance with traffic regulations. Dozens of vehicles were stopped and inspected, leading to the issuing of 62 AARTO infringement notices for violations, including unroadworthy vehicles, failure to display valid documentation, and reckless driving. Coetzee said road safety remained a top priority, adding that enforcement operations play a vital role in reducing road accidents, improving driver behaviour, and ultimately saving lives. – In a separate incident, TMPD patrol officers intercepted two vehicles transporting 53 Zimbabwean nationals, who were found to be in the country illegally. These individuals were taken into custody and are now undergoing the due immigration process. Coetzee emphasised that such interventions are crucial in maintaining border integrity, safeguarding public order, and preventing the exploitation of migrants by unscrupulous operators. 'We want to be unequivocal. Tshwane is not a haven for criminality. Whether it be unlicensed trading, road law violations, or illegal immigration, we will act decisively. 'The law is not an option; it is a non-negotiable standard. These operations reflect not only our resolve to enforce the law but also our dedication to protecting the dignity and safety of every resident.' He also expressed deep appreciation to TMPD officers for their professionalism, dedication, and the personal risks they take to keep communities safe. He described the success of the operations as the result of effective planning, collaboration with key stakeholders, and a shared commitment to upholding the values enshrined in the Constitution. Coetzee urged residents to actively support the TMPD's work by reporting suspicious activities, adhering to the law, and fostering a culture of mutual respect and accountability. 'We hear your concerns, we feel your frustrations, and we are acting. 'Together, we will build a metro defined not by disorder, but by law, dignity and opportunity,' he said. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
High Court rules against NPA's extradition request for Richard Payne
Some of the accused in the matter. From left: Obakeng Stephen Mookeletsi, Sybil Ngcobo, Valdis Ntsieni Ramaano, Brian Hlongwa, and Reatile Kingdom Lolwane. Image: Baldwin Ndaba / Independent Newspapers The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA's) bid to extradite fugitive businessman Richard Payne from the UK to face charges in the R1.2 billion graft case involving former Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa has hit a brick wall. Suspended director of public prosecutions, Gauteng local division Andrew Chauke, submitted an extradition request to the UK government in September 2022 to get Payne to return to South Africa to face 258 counts of contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, racketeering, fraud, corruption and money laundering in the long-running R1.2bn irregular tender case between 2006 and 2010. Payne is wanted in the country in relation to the matter involving one of his companies, 3P Consulting, and various others, including Ukwakha Design, Midnight Masquerade Properties 72, and Golden Pond Trading 363. His other co-accused, besides Hlongwa, who also served as ANC chief whip in the Gauteng provincial legislature, are former Gauteng Health Department employees, directors of companies, and their business partners – Obakeng Stephen Mookeletsi, Sybil Nomhle Ngcobo, Valdis Ntsieni Ramaano, Abul Kalam Mohammed Mahmudur Rahman, and Reatile Kingdom Lolwane, according to the NPA. In a judgment handed down on August 2, Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, Acting Judge Lindsey Kilmartin reviewed and set aside Chauke's extradition request dated September 26, 2022, to the UK government. Acting Judge Kilmartin declared the extradition request inconsistent with the Constitution and invalid. She also declared that Chauke and National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi have no authority to submit an extradition request on behalf of South Africa to the UK. According to Acting Judge Kilmartin, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in May last year ruled that only the Minister of Justice in his/her capacity as a member of the national executive of South Africa has the power to make an extradition request. The SCA decision was made in South African citizen Johnathan Richard Schultz's attempt to thwart the NPA's extradition request to face charges of theft and sale of unwrought precious metals dating back to 2019. In the Schultz matter, the NPA filed its application for leave to appeal at the Constitutional Court three-and-a-half months late, and Acting Judge Kilmartin stated that this means the SCA judgment stands and is the law which must be applied. Additionally, the SCA found that international law makes it clear that the executive arm of the government is empowered to engage with foreign states in the international law community and the Minister of Justice is the functionary who signs extradition treaties on behalf of South Africa and s/he is the functionary responsible for performing all acts necessary to give effect to the treaty. The NPA was unsuccessful in its application to stay Payne's review application pending the outcome of its Schultz application for leave to appeal at the apex court. 'This is not a case where duplication of judicial resources is taking place and the stay requested by the NPA respondents (Chauke and Batohi) cannot be granted merely on the basis that the Constitutional Court 'may yet establish a new test or understanding of the relevant facts and law'," the acting judge stated. In April, the UK's King's Bench Division allowed Payne's appeal of an earlier March 2024 order sending his case to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who made an extradition order in May last year, and found that the extradition proceedings against him were an abuse of process but there was no basis to show that the government of South Africa, as prosecutor, had manipulated the court process. Prosecutors accuse the group of committing a range of irregularities, including awarding of tenders, irregular payments, and fraudulent financial mismanagement, with 3P Consulting and its associated companies securing lucrative state contracts by exploiting personal relationships and illegal dealings within the department. Earlier this year, the NPA said the accused allegedly facilitated corruption through inflated contracts, unauthorised payments, and diversion of funds intended for public services. The alleged offences led to the department misusing its budget, with over R347 million in irregular payments, which include false claims for project management services and extra charges that were not part of the contracts.
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
Court orders MamKhize's Royal AM to pay back R27 million to Msunduzi Municipality
The sponsorship agreement between Royal AM and Msunduzi Municipality was deemed unlawful and invalid. Tough times seem to be lasting in the life of controversial businesswoman Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize as she suffers another blow. The Pietermaritzburg High Court has ordered Mkhize's football club, Royal AM, to pay back R27 million for the sponsorship agreement between them and the Msunduzi Municipality. Royal AM and Msunduzi Municipality entered into a three-year sponsorship agreement in 2023, and the football club has been receiving R9 million each year since the commencement of the agreement. Judge Nontuthuzelo Mlaba said the agreement was unlawful and invalid. ALSO READ: MaMkhize's Masterclass: life lessons, financial woes, and fans shouting 'Pay back the money!' Royal AM to pay back the money The sponsorship agreement was brought to court by the DA in KwaZulu-Natal, as they sought to have the contract reviewed and ultimately set aside. The judgment reads, 'all payments made by the first respondent [Msunduzi Municipality] under the sponsorship contract to the fourth respondent [Royal AM] must immediately be repaid to the first respondent with interest from the date of the judgment [08 August 2025].' Mlaba also ordered the first, second and third respondents [the council and municipality manager] to pay for the costs of the application. Termination of the Royal AM's agreement Msunduzi Municipality's council terminated the agreement in June of this year because Royal AM was no longer participating in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches. Royal AM was kicked out of the PSL after Mkhize ran into trouble with the South African Revenue Service (Sars). The club was placed under curatorship by Sars as it tried to recoup the R40 million that Mkhize owed it. Mlaba, in her judgment said it appears as if the municipality sought marketing, promotion and public relations benefits from its association with Royal AM. 'These are services that any other soccer club based in KwaZulu-Natal could have been interested in, given the benefits they would gain from the sponsorship contract. The opportunity was, however, not made available to other KZN soccer clubs.' ALSO READ: 'I have lost my soul' – MaMkhize reflects on the pain of losing her football club She added that while the submission by counsel for the municipal respondents was that Royal AM was the only football club identified, no reasons were given as to why it was chosen for the sponsorship. 'This was not in line with Section 217 of the Constitution, which requires that the sourcing of such services be transparent, competitive and fair.' The DA highlighted that the municipality was already in acute financial distress when the sponsorship agreement took place. According to the agreement, the municipality was also obligated to pay for the annual maintenance costs of the Harry Gwala Stadium. Harry Gwala Stadium was the home ground of Royal AM. A win for the people DA Councillor Ross Strachan said the party welcomes the judgment by Mhlaba, and views it as a win for the people of Msunduzi. 'This is not just a legal win, but it is a win for accountability,' he said. 'We will ensure this money is returned and redirected to service delivery.' Msunduzi municipal spokesperson told Daily Sun the judgment was noted. 'We are presently applying our minds to the ruling and carefully considering all legal options available to us.' NOW READ: Sars strikes: MaMkhize's luxury cars up for auction
