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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 On Saturday, in a statement, Acsa revealed that Petros has been replaced by Mary Ann Joubert, who has been appointed to act in the post.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.