In an earlier thread (re: Porters at JNB), I commented that JNB is not the wild, wild west. But, my opinion may change if I see more reports like this. I think it is a little unfair to pair the story with Sept. 11 because it plays upon unrelated fears.
Nevertheless, there are continued concerns about security at JNB. As I have said before, IMO its not the worst airport security-wise. But, as with any major international airport pay attention and be aware.
If nothing more, hopefully, this will spur increased security efforts at the airport. But, I doubt it. As in my earlier thread (also re: Porters at JNB), how much does SAPS or ACSA care? Indeed, reviewing the closing two paragraphs of the article, I think they really don't care . . . It is a public place, anyone, even gun toting robbers can get in (!). ACSA maintains that more cameras will help alleviate the situation. As anyone in the security business knows, cameras are only part of the solution. I continue to maintain that SA Tourism should pressure both SAPS and ACSA to get their act together. All it could take is one bad news story in Europe or the U.S. (much less a real tragedy) to cause big problems for SA tourism. Of course, I would never wish it on SA or people who travel through the airport.
In addition, my guess (have others experienced this ?) is that outbound flights may be delayed by added searches and screening brought on by home countries’ and international carriers’ concerns about security of their planes and passengers bound from JNB. Admittedly though, the robbery occurred at the domestic terminal.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_i...1603239C827274
Originally Posted by IndependentOnline
Security crisis at Johannesburg airport
Independent Online Newspapers, September 11 2004 at 10:19AM
By Kashiefa Ajam and Ashley Smith
As the world remembers the September 11 terror attacks on Saturday, Johannesburg International Airport is a tragedy waiting to happen because its security is a shambles.
Security at Africa's biggest and busiest airport - supposedly one of the most secure places in the country and through which hundreds of Durbanites travel every day - is so bad that four armed robbers were able to rip off the Spur restaurant in the domestic terminal and get away scot free.
The robbery, which happened on Sunday night, was not publicised - either by the South African Police Servics or the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) - until The Independent On Saturday's correspondent started asking questions this week.
North Rand police spokesperson Eugene Opperman said the robbery took place on Sunday at about 10pm when four armed men bypassed security and escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.
The armed robbery is the latest in a series of crimes in and around the airport. There are frequent reports of goods being stolen from aircraft, or from storage facilities at the airport; items being pilfered from luggage, and recently, a number of travellers have reported their carry-on possessions being stolen in the airport concourse.
The robbery comes after Acsa declared a few weeks ago that 1 200 surveillance cameras were up and running at the airport.
Acsa spokesperson Jacqui O'Sullivan on Friday admitted that the Spur robbery was not the first of its kind at the airport.
When asked how armed robbers were able to enter the premises so easily and slip out just as easily, she said: "Similar to any branch of this chain, or any other restaurant in a shopping centre or mall, the Spur at JIA is in a public facility.
"While there is a SAPS presence within the airport precinct on an ongoing basis, no form of access control can be put in place in a public facility."