Police to be grilled over airport heist
POLICE officers will be questioned about the daring multi-million rand heist at the OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday night.
Acting National Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane told reporters in Pretoria yesterday that police involvement in the robbery could not be ruled out.
“We can’t rule out an inside job. But our view is that let us be allowed space [to investigate],” he said.
No one has yet been taken for questioning, as the high level investigations were continuing.
Private security guards and other roleplayers in the airport will also be questioned, Phahlane pointed out.
“The process of the investigation is under way. [It] includes interviewing all the role players and personnel charged with duties in and around the airport.”
Phahlane took umbrage with unverified reports that police cars were used in the robbery.
“It’s important for people not to jump to conclusions.”
The two cars allegedly involved were found in Mamelodi, east of Tshwane, on Wednesday.
Phahlane said they were fraudulently fitted with sirens and marked with police colours.
“It was fake news to say police cars were involved. You may say bogus police cars.” He said there was likelihood that the robbers impersonated police officers.
“If bona fide police uniforms or equipment were used by the suspects, the source of those will also form part of the investigations,” Phahlane said.
He said there was nothing security guards at the post could have done to avert the robbery.
“These people were armed. Even if the security guys were armed they would have [been] overpowered.”
The police chief insisted that South Africa’s airports were safe.
OR Tambo handled over 20 million people each year without any fatalities.
“That must be evidence that the airport is secure.
“One incident cannot define us as institutions that are not doing well.”
Police were still up to the task, Phahlane insisted.
“There is no reason why we should doubt the competency and capabilities of the authorities charged with the responsibility of securing the airports.
“This was a security breach and it will be dealt with. The perpetrators will certainly be brought to book.”
Bongani Maseko, CEO of the Airports Company SA (Acsa), said companies operating at its airports bore a responsibility to ensure security around their cargo.
He said companies had repeatedly reported cases of theft in the cargo.
“It can’t solely be the responsibility of Acsa and the police to provide security. It’s a collective responsibility. You equally have a responsibility of making sure you have security around your cargo.”
“We can’t rule out an inside job... but allow us to investigate