ACSA says ‘random searches’ are to enhance security
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has said that random security searches are carried out with passengers’ constitutional rights in mind.
ACSA upholds international security standards
After recent online media reports on security screening and searching of passengers, Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has appealed for passengers to co-operate with airport security personnel as they undertake this basic but essential part of aviation security.
In a release, ACSA announced that airports across the network are continuing to experience a steady increase in passenger volumes, and in the interest of keeping everyone safe, they would continue to adhere to all internationally recognised standard operating procedures and comply with national aviation legislation and regulations that strive to ensure the security and safety of passengers.
These security protocols include random physical searches that are performed for all passengers after a certain number of people have passed a security search point at the airport terminal.
Travellers searched at random
Searches are designed to be conducted on all travellers, even when there is no trigger from the security checkpoint.
The airports company therefore calls on all travellers to note that when being ushered through the screening process by airport security personnel, they may be required to remove any headgear including fixed religious and cultural headgear.
“At all times, the physical searches will be conducted with due sensitivity to recognised religious and cultural practices. This includes providing an appropriate space to conduct a physical search, should the passenger so prefer.” the statement read.
“ACSA acknowledges that physical searches may cause discomfort to our passengers, and in view of this, our security personnel have been instructed to ensure that all searches are conducted in a respectful and courteous manner.” the statement continued.
“We would like to categorically state that ACSA does not have any policies or procedures that discriminate against any passengers or airport users on the basis of gender, race, cultural beliefs, religion, or place of origin,” General Mzwandile Petros, Group Executive for Enterprise Security added in the statement.