Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has confirmed that Monday's hijacking at Cape Town International Airport took place inside one of the airport's parking garages.
According to ACSA, the incident occurred on Monday, seven September in Parkade two (P2), level one.
The confirmation follows after Nuusflits put questions to ACSA about safety at the airport after the hijacking and the subsequent arrest of four suspects by police.
ACSA says this is the first recorded hijacking incident of this nature at Cape Town International Airport. Other vehicle-related incidents have been recorded in the past, but according to the company occur rarely.
Security tightened after parking garage hijacking at Cape Town International Airport
Following the incident, ACSA has implemented additional security measures in the airport's parking facilities.
This includes greater visibility of security personnel, more SAPD foot patrols and additional vehicle patrols within the airport precinct.
According to ACSA, the airport already has a comprehensive security programme, with security personnel, surveillance systems, access control and established procedures to respond to incidents. The SAPD also has a permanent presence at the airport.
ACSA did not wish to disclose details about the location, coverage or capabilities of its surveillance and other security systems for security reasons.
CCTV and investigation
When Nuusflits asked whether the incident was captured by ACSA's CCTV cameras and whether footage was handed over to police, the company said it is working fully with the SAPD.
ACSA will make any relevant CCTV footage, security records or other information available through the appropriate legal and investigative channels.
The company did not wish to comment further on evidence because the police investigation is still ongoing.
ACSA says it is also too early to determine whether a specific security gap contributed to the hijacking. The company reviews security incidents to establish whether additional control measures are needed.
ACSA responds to call to appear before parliament
Nuusflits also asked ACSA to respond to the DA's call that the company appear before parliament's transport portfolio committee to account for safety at Cape Town International Airport.
ACSA says it is a state-controlled entity that reports to the Department of Transport and is subject to parliamentary oversight.
Should a formal request be received to appear before the committee, ACSA will respond through the appropriate channels according to the company.
ACSA says airport security and the SAPD coordinated their response following Monday's incident and that this contributed to the successful arrest of the suspects.
Airport users who feel unsafe or witness an incident that requires the attention of CTIA security can contact the control room on 021 937 1207.
Source: Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
