Security Concerns Continue at JNB
 

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

Latest news :

"Three wounded, flights delayed at Johannesburg airport

September 17, 2004, 06:44

Three police officers stationed at the Johannesburg International Airport were wounded by armed robbers last night and some flights were delayed, police said. Superintendent Eugene Opperman said two of the officers were in hospital in a serious condition.

"It is alleged that a gang of about five armed men had tried to steal some valuable cargo which was supposed to be loaded onto an aircraft. The attempted robbery took place on the air side of the airport," Opperman said. According to radio reports, the robbers were attempting to hold up workers loading precious cargo including gold and diamonds onto an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight.

"The robbers fired shots at the police officers who escorted the cargo," Opperman added. Two of the police officers accompanying the cargo were wounded. The third police officer was shot when he ran towards his colleagues to help them.

The robbers then fled into all directions - without taking any of the cargo.

The airport and all its entrances to the air side, meaning the runways and aircraft parking area, were immediately closed so that police reinforcements could search the premises. "Some flights were delayed while police painstakingly searched for the suspects and clues on the crime scene," Opperman explained. "No arrests were made. Police are, however, following up on some leads." - Sapa

Note that the perpetrators are not alleged to have been porters :D

I remember the days when there were at least two heavily armed officers, usually with one or more dogs, at every entrance to the passenger terminal, all on the lookout for terrorists. Not sure the airport was much safer then, even though I once saw them chase the cleaning staff off the premises with sjamboks (whips).

johan

johan

Another recent one, just to prove that JNB SAPS sometimes do get their man! (although it could be argued that almost 1.7 kg of heroin concealed in sandals should be too obvious to miss!)

"Police nab drug suspects at Johannesburg airport

"September 13, 2004, 14:14

North Rand police have arrested a suspected drug smuggler at the Johannesburg International Airport and confiscated heroin worth almost R1 million - some of which he had swallowed. Eugene Opperman, a police spokesperson, says the 39-year old South African citizen arrived on a flight from Dubai.

Opperman says the 1.7kg of heroin was found hidden in his sandals and some in his stomach. The drugs are worth almost R900 000.

If things go well, Opperman says, the suspect will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court tomorrow."

johan

It not necessarily porters or cleaning people. Its the general attitude towards security at the airport that may worry some.

In a follow up story

"Journalist breaches airport security: Police

September 17, 2004, 22:06

A journalist "tested" access control measures at Johannesburg International Airport after last night's attempted robbery in which three policemen were wounded, North Rand police said.

The journalist, who is known to police, gained access to certain restricted areas, committing a criminal offence, Eugene Opperman, a police spokesperson, said. "The Johannesburg International Airport...is governed by the National Key Points Act. Members of the public, including journalists, who wilfully and illegally access certain areas without clear authority commit a criminal offence.

"If found guilty such a person could be sentenced to a heavy fine or even imprisonment," Opperman said. "The identity of the journalist is known to the SAPS. This person's identity is being withheld for the time being and until certain other investigations have been completed," he said. - Sapa"

Source

I'm no fan of the media or these types of stunts. It is never really good to air these things in the press. A responsible person (even a journalist) should be reporting things to the police. However, its a little ironic that police would rather go after the reporter than worry about security catching "real" criminals.

As I said earlier, when it happens to a tourist, what does ACSA / SAPS care, the tourist will head home. Here you have a person in SA (I'll assume SA citizen, resident), who cares and is doing something about it and the person gets nailed.

Further irony. Originally, the ACSA spokesperson, referring to one area of the airport, said oh, its a public place, what can we do . . . Now, all of a sudden the focus is on restricted areas. IMO if you have a GUN, you should be "restricted" from any area.

JNB is one of very few airports with a dedicated desk for checking-in firearms. Declaring the airport off limits for persons packing guns would, not that many years ago, have kept half the domestic passengers off the premises.

johan

You know, you are right. SA's "firearms" desks have always fascinated me. I guess I should have said
My point was that ACSA and SAPS seems to keep moving the ball / shifting blame. More towards the goal of the original post (and as I have wrote before), if you are traveling to, in or through JNB it is wise to be aware. I still maintain what I said earlier
To all who may search, find and read this, it is still my opinion. Just as an international traveler checks other web sites for the best hotels, restaurants, bars, etc., looks at various travel warnings, checks the local newspapers, checks the weather, etc. prior to departure, this (and my other posts re: security at JNB) is something I just feel strongly about. Generally, I think SA is a GREAT place to visit and very few people could not have a good time anywhere they go in SA. I wholheartedly recommend a trip to SA. It's also because of my passion and interest in seeing SA, and SA tourism, prosper, coupled with my worries about what, if anything, ACSA and SAPS does to help tourists, that I feel JNB security is an important area to be aware of. Statistically (and you know what they say about statistics), you are probably far more likely to die on the plane or in your bathtub, etc. But, IMO, this post is just another arrow in your arrow.

Security beefed up at Jo'burg Airport
 

"Security has been beefed up at Johannesburg International Airport following a shoot-out last week during an attempted heist of valuable cargo destined for Amsterdam on a KLM flight, police said Tuesday.
A special police unit has been assigned to escort valuable cargo to and from aircraft in armoured police vehicles alongside airport security officials, national police spokeswoman Sally de Beer said.

"The South African Police Service has introduced stringent security measures at Johannesburg International Airport in order to ensure the safety and security of all persons and cargo arriving at and departing from our busiest airport," De Beer said in a statement.

"Marked and unmarked police vehicles have been deployed on a 24-hour basis to patrol all routes entering and exiting Johannesburg International Airport and will thus be in a position to intercept any vehicle used in the commission of a crime on or around the airport premises," she added.

A gang of armed men attacked security guards and police who were escorting "valuable cargo" to a KLM plane filled with passengers on Thursday night.

Five men opened fire on the security detail as passengers already seated inside the KLM plane were waiting for take-off to Amsterdam.

A shoot-out ensued and three policemen were injured while the robbers fled empty-handed.

Airport spokeswoman Jacqui O'Sullivan said the Dutch airline had sent a team to Johannesburg to investigate the incident.

"The Airports Company South Africa met with the investigating team yesterday (Monday) and their investigations are still underway," she told AFP.

De Beer said the special police unit would be deployed at the airport until the end of the year.

"In January 2005 members who are presently being trained specifically for this purpose will take over these responsibilities," she added.

The last major robbery at the Johannesburg International Airport was in December 2001 when armed men made off with $1.5 million in cash, and more than $100,000 worth of diamonds and jewellery from the cargo depot, causing the airport to cancel its contract with its security company. "

Source

johan

Yeah, especially in South Africa, where there is a tendency for the goverment to fudge or withhold the figures when it comes to sensitive matters like crime. There are good reasons to believe that official statistics significantly underreport both homicides and road traffic accident fatalities. The actual figures may well be some 50% higher. (Source )

johan

I go in and out of JNB with Firearms (hunting) several times a year. Usually the firearms desk people are quite proficient.

It is still the "porters" that are the pain. NEVER take your eyes off them.

I once caught one carrying my guns out the door instead of bringing them to the security office for pickup. When I questions him, and the uniformed agent, all I got was, " He was taking them to the car for you".

Ya right, his car.

While I certainly understand the concern when incidents like this one happen at airports, I am inclined to agree with the spokesperson who is quoted as saying:

"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."

The Spur is land side in the new domestic terminal and is open to the general public. Similarly, at SFO there are restaraunts that are land side, and require no security to approach. Certainly, especially since 9/11 there are many more security personnel, if weapons were concealed, someone armed could go to one of them without prior detection. Getting away once the alarm was raised would be difficult, but probably not impossible.

To get airside at JNB requires a similar screening process to that now used pretty much world wide. I don't think it would be nearly as easy to get to the planes as is implied by the article and discussion.

Security at JNB, and crime in South Africa generally is in fact worse than most developed countries. The South Africa government can and should do a better job of enforcement, and contrary to the tone of the posts before, as a regular traveler to the country, I believe things are improving. There is still a way to go, but somewhat better they are for sure. Both independent and government statistics indicate modest but steady decreases since government started releasing the stats a few years ago. Clearly the most common crimes are those against property, just as they are virtually everywhere. Violent crime, while much higher than Europe or America, is relatively rare.

My work in community and economic development gives me hope that the modest and increasing improvements in opportunity for poor South Africans is helping. The gap is huge still, but I think there is some evidence of the connection between those improvements will help mitigate the crime issues. That definitely does not mean that we should excuse crime by anyone. It is simply my somewhat informed observation.

It shouldn't happen. It is awful, especially when violent, and much work needs to be done. But I don't think this is any huge breach of airport security that imperils people's ablility to travel or implies terrorism is more likely. South Africa is still a terrific place to visit.

I travelled through JNB in Sept04 and I must say security was very lacking. Quite laughable if it weren't so scary.

As people passed thru the metal detector and they "buzzed", they were allowed to stay on the "secure" side. They were asked if they had anything on them that would cause the buzz and as they removed stuff from their pockets, those items were placed in the plastic tray and sent thru to be viewed on the screen. The person did not have to pass thru the metal detector again!

The line was very short - maybe 10 people. I saw 3 people go thru security like this. How crazy is that!

Porter Controls Tightened At Johannesburg Airport
 

"MEASURES to control porter services at Johannesburg International Airport are achieving the objectives set by the Airports Company SA (Acsa) about 12 months ago.

Signs, which include illustrations of the bright orange numbered uniforms and Acsa permits worn by registered porters, advise travellers to make use only of authorised individuals and recommend that they are tipped R5 a bag. These recommendations are also made via public announcement systems in the arrival and departure halls.

"There has been some criticism of the announcements and signs from those who feel that by publicly cautioning people, we are creating an unfavourable first impression among tourists," says Acsa senior communications officer Jacqui O'Sullivan. "The reality though, is that we have had theft and security problems with some unauthorised porters and we believe it is essential to warn travellers about the risks."

Accredited porters are not employed by Acsa. But they are screened by the company, receive training and are registered as authorised Acsa service providers.

"Because there are no by-laws preventing unregulated people from offering their services as porters at the airport, it is difficult for us to police their activities. At best, the police can remove them from the premises for loitering," says O'Sullivan.

"However, by regulating the service and encouraging travellers only to use authorised porters, we have achieved greater control and are discouraging unofficial porters from offering their services at the airport."

Source allAfrica.com

johan