Airports: how safe are they?

ACSA: SECURITY APPARATUS IN DISARRAY ACCORDING TO INSIDER AT STATE-OWNED ENTITY

- Hein Kaiser

A participant shades activist The Drag Diva with an umbrella bearing pride colours during the Johannesburg Pride march in Sandton on Saturday. Picture: AFP

(AFP)

Fresh allegations have surfaced against Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) ahead of the G20 Culture Working Group Meeting this month.

An online post, purportedly based on information leaked by an insider, alleged widespread dysfunction within the state-owned entity's operations, including its security apparatus.

The allegations stretch back to July and claimed insourcing of aviation security personnel at the time caused a collapse of the security mesh within hours of roll-out.

That left critical access points unguarded, officers without firearms or communication equipment and uncertified recruits deployed to sensitive areas.

It was also alleged that some employees previously dismissed for misconduct were rehired without vetting and command of security operations at OR Tambo International Airport had to be moved to airport operations management to restore order.