Nzimande vexed by OR Tambo ‘bag theft’

TRANSPORT Minister Blade Nzimande asked his department to urgently look at complaints of bag tempering and theft at OR Tambo International Airport.

Scores of passengers have come forward saying their luggage was tampered with and valuables stolen – either arriving at other airports or in Joburg.

Anti-crime activist, Yusuf Abramjee, raised concerns on social media this week and called for “urgent interventions.”

The Airports Company of SA (Acsa) said it was the responsibility of airlines to safeguard and handle luggage.

FlySafair admitted that bag tempering was a problem.

The airline said it was willing to put R100000 on the table for “any party that can come forward and curb this”.

Yesterday, Mango Airlines responded to Abramjee saying the airline was aware of the issue of bag tampering and theft at airports.

“We continue to put measures in place to mitigate against the problem. Like other airlines, we encourage our guests to open criminal cases to get law enforcement agencies to intervene.”

Abramjee said “dozens of passengers have come forward”.

“Many are saying the airlines are not helpful.”

Abramjee said Acsa and airlines should take full responsibility.