As everybody is now aware, arrests were made at this airport earlier this week. Eight Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals were apprehended while attempting to enter the country illegally.

These illegal foreign nationals arrived on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha, Qatar, on the 15th of June, 2022.

This is a clear indication of the efficacy of security systems that enable police to detect and arrest these illegal immigrants.

The nature of this incident suggests a coordinated criminal effort which would be a clear violation and attack on a plethora of laws governing safety and security in the country.

It is not by chance that the administration frequently visits the place to pronounce on safety.

“We do so intentionally to assure those who use this airport know and feel safe,” said the Minister of Transport.

Furthermore, she added: While we are grateful for the arrest of these illegal immigrants, which is in line with our zero-tolerance approach to the contravention of South Africa’s immigration laws at all points of entry, we must also make sure that this incident and any potential of its reoccurrence in the future is close to nothing.

As soon as the investigation is complete and the report is finalized, I will come back and announce measures that will be further undertaken, if any, to improve security at all our airports, she added.

She said: When we talk about security being a multi-stakeholder responsibility, we include the public as well. We, therefore, are grateful for the interest you have shown in this matter and want to encourage the public as well that if ever you see something that seems suspicious or out of place, please report it to the police or airport officials.

This is what we call security culture, where everyone plays a part in the aviation security value chain.