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IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Grenade saga: ACS accuses ACSA of having blocked critical screening upgrades at OR Tambo Airport.
Aviation Coordination Services (ACS) has hit back at Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) Image: File Aviation Coordination Services (ACS) has hit back at Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), accusing it of having blocked important upgrades to baggage screening equipment at OR Tambo International Airport. This comes after a passenger managed to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Johannesburg on May 25 with two training grenades in their checked luggage, only for the items to be discovered upon arrival in Addis Ababa. The company also denied that ACSA has the right to terminate its "provision of services" for hold baggage screening at the airport, adding that it has been providing hold baggage screening at the airport for over 25 years and is the legally approved service provider. However, ACSA disputes this claim, arguing that ACS operates without a valid contract and is in breach of procurement laws. In 2023, ACSA decided to insource the hold baggage screening (HBS) function, but was temporarily blocked by a court interdict obtained by ACS. According to the company, the matter is now set for mediation under the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy. ACS said that the recent security breach involving training grenades was due to human error, but could have been avoided if ACSA had permitted upgrades to the screening equipment. "For the past eight years, ACSA has prevented ACS from replacing HBS equipment at airports with more advanced and reliable screening technology. "Had ACS been permitted to carry out the long-term HBS equipment upgrade and replacement, the security incident that took place on 25 May may well have been avoided," the company said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ ACS also claimed that "as a result of ACSA's refusals to allow it to replace the HBS equipment, ACS had to resort to bringing several urgent proceedings before the High Court in an attempt to force ACSA to permit the interim replacement of Level 3 back-up machines". "ACS was successful in these proceedings and obtained three consecutive court orders against ACSA between November 2024 and May 2025". However, ACSA described this claim as "factually incorrect," stating that any replacement of HBS equipment must be approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). ACSA added that SACAA has previously communicated to ACS that it lacks the authority to replace HBS equipment, as ACS is not an airport operator. "ACSA had issued a tender worth approximately R3.1 billion for the replacement of the entire HBS equipment. However, ACS obtained an interdict blocking ACSA from adjudicating the tender until the court's review of ACSA's decision to insource," ACSA said. ACS also accused ACSA of delaying notification of the incident by 10 days, which slowed their investigation. "Our investigation confirmed that the items were 'Free From Explosive' (FFE) grenades, which are deactivated and used for training purposes and are safe for transportation. While the suspicious baggage was detected at Level 1 and Level 2 screening points, it was mistakenly cleared by a screener at Level 3". In response, ACSA said that Ethiopian Airlines sent communication regarding the incident to an ACSA employee who was not the designated official as stipulated in the regulatory reporting arrangement, and "as a result, the communication was not immediately brought to the attention of the designated official". "When the designated official was made aware, the matter was immediately reported to SACAA, and ACS was notified. The issue of the delayed reporting is being investigated, and appropriate action will be taken". ACSA said. "While the matter of the delayed reporting is being addressed, this should not detract from the fact that the reason for the occurrence of the incident, which is negligent human error, took place under the watch of an unregulated and unlawful operator". ACS added that it has "zero tolerance to any form of security breach and deems this incident as gross negligence by the screener, hence this led to the dismissal". IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Grenades in luggage: ACSA announces plan to terminate screening firm after security breach
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) says it has terminated the services of Aviation Coordination Services (ACS), Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has announced its intention to terminate 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 — Airports Company SA (@Airports_ZA) July 24, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading "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 they have made the decision to terminate ACS's services on the grounds that ACS has no legal basis or contract to carry out HBS services. "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". IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Grenades in luggage: ACSA terminates screening firm after security breach
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) says it has terminated the services of Aviation Coordination Services (ACS), 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 — Airports Company SA (@Airports_ZA) July 24, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading "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". IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
