Grenades in luggage: ACSA terminates screening firm after security breach
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) says it has terminated the services of Aviation Coordination Services (ACS), the third-party operator responsible for hold baggage screening at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
This comes after a passenger passed through security at O.R. Tambo International Airport carrying two training hand grenades in their checked baggage, which were only discovered upon arrival at Bole International Airport in Ethiopia.
In a statement issued to the media on Thursday, ACSA confirmed that it "was formally notified of the incident by Ethiopian Airlines, in line with international aviation protocols, after the items were detected during reverse baggage screening upon arrival".
Media Statement: 24 July 2025
ACSA TO TAKE ACTION FOR SECURITY BREACH AT O.R. TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT pic.twitter.com/uq2q7ejpQP — Airports Company SA (@Airports_ZA) July 24, 2025
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"In accordance with national regulatory procedures, ACSA subsequently reported the matter to the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA"
ACSA confirmed that the breach occurred in the Hold Baggage Screening area managed by Aviation Coordination Services (ACS), and announced it has since terminated ACS's services due to legal concerns.
"ACSA made the decision to terminate ACS's services on the grounds that ACS has no legal basis or contract to carry out HBS services. Moreover, ACS is operating contrary to public procurement legislation.
"Notwithstanding these legal issues, ACS is responsible for this lapse in security and has also accepted liability for the incident. Further, ACS instituted disciplinary proceedings against the employee responsible for the security breach.
According to ACSA, ACS claims that the responsibility for Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) rests with the airlines.
" ACSA's position, which is also shared by SACAA, is that ACSA, as the licensed aerodrome operator, is responsible for conducting HBS services on behalf of the State".
Furthermore, ACSA claimed that the "HBS service was taken over from ACS in around 1998 under questionable circumstances — consequently, ACSA has reported this matter to the DPCI, SIU and the Auditor General of South Africa"
"ACS operates on an evergreen basis with no contract and is not an entity recognised in any civil aviation legislation or subject to any legal regulation. The operation of ACS is contrary to, inter alia, section 217 of the Constitution, Public Finance Management Act, National Key Points Act, the ACSA Act and the Civil Aviation Act and Regulations.
"To ensure compliance with the Constitution and its legislative mandate, ACSA decided to provide the services itself and, for transparency, has issued a tender to purchase the necessary equipment.
However, "ACS successfully launched a Court challenge against ACSA to interdict ACSA from implementing the insourcing decision pending finalisation of a court review of ACSA's decision. The interdict precludes ACSA from executing its mandate insofar as it pertains to operating the entire HBS. ACSA has been granted leave to appeal the interdict, and a date for the appeal is yet to be set".
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