Latest news with #Acsa
The Citizen
26-07-2025
- The Citizen
ACS refutes ACSA claims over OR Tambo grenade security breach
ACS said the grenades were mistakenly cleared due to outdated equipment. Aviation Co-ordination Services (ACS) has rejected Airports Company South Africa's (ACSA) claims after a man travelled to Ethiopia from OR Tambo International Airport with two deactivated grenades. The grim incident came to light when Ethiopian Airlines notified ACSA that a passenger who had departed from OR Tambo in Johannesburg was found with the training grenades during reverse hold baggage screening at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mistake This triggered an immediate urgent response with ACSA announcing its intention to terminate the services of ACS, the third-party operator responsible for hold baggage screening (HBS) at OR Tambo International Airport. ACS CEO Duke Phahla said the training items were mistakenly cleared due to outdated equipment at the airport. ALSO READ: Acsa loses appeal for control of baggage screening services at major airports Risk Phala said, contrary to ACSA's claims, it is not entitled to terminate the provision of services by ACS and accused the airport operator of blocking ACS from replacing HBS equipment at airports with more advanced and reliable screening technology, putting aviation security at risk. 'Had ACS been permitted to carry out the long-term HBS equipment upgrade and replacement, the security incident that took place on 25 May may well have been avoided. 'Our investigation found that the screener on duty was fully certified by the South African Civil Aviation Authority and the company that he worked for was appointed on the panel of security service providers and vetted by ACSA,' Phala said. Screener dismissed Phahla, the screener, had completed all required training, had passed recent assessments and had over ten years of screening experience. However, he said that due to the seriousness of the breach, the screener was immediately suspended and later dismissed following the outcome of a formal disciplinary process. 'While the investigation concluded that human error was the immediate cause of the incident, it is critical that it be viewed in the broader context of the long-standing obstruction, by ACSA, of ACS's efforts to replace the HBS equipment with more advanced and reliable screening technology'. Phala said ACS has 'zero tolerance to any form of security breach' and deems this incident to be gross negligence by the screener, which led to dismissal. NOW READ: Acsa wants a look over in fight over baggage screening services
TimesLIVE
25-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Acsa ramps up security after hand grenades bypass OR Tambo screening
Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) says it is taking decisive action after a serious security breach at OR Tambo International Airport that saw two training hand grenades bypass security screening and arrive in Ethiopia. The incident came to light after Ethiopian Airlines discovered the devices during baggage screening at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. The passenger had departed from OR Tambo, raising red flags about security lapses at South Africa's busiest airport. '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,' said Acsa in a statement on Thursday. 'In accordance with national regulatory procedures, Acsa subsequently reported the matter to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).' The grenades had made it through the hold baggage screening (HBS) area, which Acsa says is operated by Aviation Co-ordination Services (ACS), a third-party entity controlled by airline associations. '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 said. Acsa says it has terminated ACS's services, citing legal and contractual irregularities. 'ACS has no legal basis or contract to carry out HBS services. Moreover, ACS is operating contrary to public procurement legislation.' Acsa said the matter has been reported to the Hawks, the Special Investigating Unit and the auditor-general. It said ACS had accepted responsibility for the breach and taken disciplinary action against the employee involved. Acsa also revealed that ACS has been operating without a formal contract since it took over HBS services in 1998 under what Acsa termed 'questionable circumstances'. 'ACS operates on an evergreen basis with no contract and is not an entity recognised in any civil aviation legislation. Its operations are contrary to the constitution, the Public Finance Management Act, National Key Points Act, the ACSA Act, and the Civil Aviation Act and regulations,' said the airport operator. Despite Acsa's efforts to take over the HBS service directly and issue a tender for equipment, ACS obtained a court interdict blocking the move pending a judicial review of Acsa's decision. Acsa has since been granted leave to appeal but a date for the hearing is yet to be determined. In the meantime, Acsa says it has ramped up security measures in partnership with various state and law enforcement agencies, including the State Security Agency. police crime intelligence, Border Management Agency and Ekurhuleni Metro Police. 'These include increased surveillance across critical zones, joint planning and oversight forums and ongoing training to mitigate the risk of recurrence,' the company said. '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 safeguard the integrity of South Africa's national aviation infrastructure,' they said.
The Citizen
25-07-2025
- The Citizen
Airport security breached as training grenades slip through OR Tambo
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
IOL News
14-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Airports Company of South Africa's leadership shake-up follows significant security breach fine
The Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) has remained mum over reports that it has been fined R1.5 million by the SA Civil Aviation Authority for security-related breaches. Image: File Image While the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) has remained mum over the alleged R1.5 million fine imposed by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the authority has confirmed having recently imposed an undisclosed fine against Acsa for alleged security-related breaches. The fine comes as Acsa confirmed that it has placed its group executive for enterprise security and compliance, Lieutenant General Mzwandile Petros, on precautionary suspension as investigations commence into troubling allegations of operational irregularities. On Saturday, in a statement, Acsa revealed that Petros has been replaced by Mary Ann Joubert, who has been appointed to act in the post. "Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has placed the Group Executive: Enterprise Security and Compliance (GE: ESC), Lt General, Mzwandile Petros, on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of an independent investigation into allegations of operational irregularities. The decision to place the GE: ESC on precautionary suspension is a crucial measure to protect the integrity of the investigative process and any current and subsequent processes," Acsa said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The airports company said Petros' suspension will not hamper its day-to-day operations, with Acsa emphasising that the suspension is precautionary and does not imply guilt, but allows for a fair and unbiased investigation. Reacting to the fine, SACCA spokesperson, Sisa Majola, stated that the aviation authority had acted in the best interest, security, and safety of the public and passengers when it imposed this penalty against Acsa. "Consistent with the SACAA mandate of regulating aviation safety and security, the Regulator confirms that enforcement action, including a fine, was meted out against Acsa on security-related matters. The regulations allow operators to make representations, which, upon submission, are evaluated. The enforcement processes allow operators to appeal against an enforcement decision; hence, the matter is still in progress as guided by the regulatory processes," Majola said. While Acsa assured the public that airport operations, including security and compliance, remain uninterrupted, some affected parties have disagreed, saying this is not the case following recent reports of delays and long lines in some of the affected airports. According to a source, the alleged R1.5 million fine forced Acsa to beg Fidelity Security to assist in covering the King Shaka International Airport, even though the company's contract had lapsed on June 30, 2025, following Acsa's decision to insource its security screening personnel across its nine airports in the country. "Ironically, Acsa had retrenched many of its security screening personnel in 2021, citing cost-cutting measures, with many experienced aviation safety officers taking voluntary severance packages. Fast Forward 2025, the same Acsa management has terminated contract security agreements in favour of insourcing personnel. Even after they were warned on the ballooning cost effect of such a move," the source said. Attempts to get a comment from Acsa were unsuccessful at the time of going to print, following numerous requests for comment last week.
IOL News
12-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cape Town International Airport named world's best, achieving top recognition in AirHelp score
Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) on Friday announced a significant achievement, with Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) securing the number one spot in the prestigious AirHelp Score 2025. This top ranking places CTIA at the forefront of global airport service excellence, reaffirming its position as a world-class hub for travelers. CTIA received an outstanding overall score of 8.57, with particularly impressive marks for on-time performance (8.6) and customer experience (8.7). This exceptional performance highlights the airport's commitment to operational excellence and delivering a seamless, top-tier experience for passengers.
