Special meeting addresses security concerns, writes Leonard Neill
JOHANNESBURG INTERNATIONAL Airport will beef up security at its cargo sector following a call by foreign airlines who are concerned about the safety of their aircraft and cargo in the wake of a number of hijackings at the airport recently.
The latest involved a container which arrived a week ago aboard a Lufthansa flight carrying what has been described as Ôa substantial amount of money'. Three armed men attempted to hijack a private security company vehicle which had collected the cash and was parked outside the airport's apron. When they found that the key was in the possession of the driver who had walked into the adjoining building, the would-be robbers ran from the scene firing shots, one of which killed a cargo agent who was standing nearby.
Other airlines have been targeted recently, including a container unloaded from a Swissair arrival which was en route to a warehouse within the confines of the airport. This was filled with US dollars and Portuguese escudos.
Now airlines have pointed to the approach made to the South African government by US President George Bush to have security tightened in this country. The US government has cited South Africa as a country where terrorist activities have been reported and which has a sophisticated banking system which, it claims, is an ideal route through which terrorist Ôblood money' could be cha nelled.
The airlines are concerned that with the increased action planned by the US and its allies against terrorism, aircraft flying to and from South Africa may become involved in acts of terrorism.
At a special meeting arranged by the South African Police Services last Friday, and attended by a vast cross section of the cargo agents at the airport, it was announced that an additional 50 policemen would be stationed immediately in the vicinity of the cargo section, emergency telephone numbers have been installed for the reporting of incidents at the sector and background checks are to be made on all permit holders.
The meeting was advised that already up to 100 permits have been cancelled, though reasons were not disclosed, and a base is to be established at the entry gates to the area where the detective investigating branch is to be established.
A further meeting is to be held at the cargo sector today (October 5).
