Early arrests expected following JIA cargo heist

LEONARD NEILL POLICE EXPECT to make arrests soon following the armed robbery at Nationwide Airline’s cargo section at Johannesburg International Airport last Thursday morning. But this has not settled concern among airport officials and employees about security at the facility. Four armed men entered the cargo depot at 4:30 last Thursday, tied up workers and escaped with packages. Airports Company of SA (Acsa) and police have declined to give details of the robbery, but SAPS Superintendent Eugene Opperman says ‘sensitive information’ is being followed up which is expected to lead to early arrests. It is the latest in a series of thefts at the cargo section, which is served by two entrances. One is manned by a security officer who operates a chain to allow entrance after drivers have produced identification. The other, adjacent to the SAPS satellite station, is manned by eight armed security guards. Only permit holders are allowed through this entrance. Now the question being asked is how four armed men were able to gain access to the unit they had targeted.