The United States (US) Mission to South Africa has advised US citizens to “exercise caution” when arranging ground transportation from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, to hotels, guest houses, and residents.

In a statement on their website this week, the Mission’s Security Message warned of robberies of passengers travelling from South Africa’s busiest airport.

The Mission said: “Numerous U.S. citizens and other travellers have been robbed at gun point while travelling from OR Tambo International Airport to their place of lodging in what are known as “follow home” robberies.

“In some instances, U.S. citizens have been injured or shot at during these robberies.

“U.S. citizens should avoid nighttime arrival flights to OR Tambo International Airport. No form of transportation from the airport is considered completely secure and risk-free.

“Travellers should exercise caution at all times when departing the airport. Travellers should also avoid changing money or utilising ATMs at the airport, and avoid displaying expensive jewellery, watches, or luggage while traveling.”

Robberies and hold-ups – including the infamous OR Tambo Heist this year – have escalated in recent months, resulting in the South African Police Services (SAPS) implementing a Tactical Anti-Crime Plan last week.

Minister of Police, Fikile Mbalula, visited the airport again on Friday to assess the National Plan to make SA Port of Entries safe. (During his visit a couple of drug busts were made.)

The Minister has pledged to make the airport safer, and said yesterday: “Law enforcement must always be on the ground. We are working hard to make OR Tambo safe.”

During last week’s launch of the crackdown on crime at the airport, Mbalula announced the suspension of seven police officers at OR Tambo airport. He also said that “over 40 ACSA employees have been suspended for alleged corruption; we’ve reshuffled SAPS officers who have been at the airport for a long time.”

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/890848291402993666

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/890846322433150978