$16.5 heist at FAJS from a SAA flight

[makeapullup]

Seems like a non event nowadays. Almost 24 hours and this is the 1st post!

:ouch: :ouch: :ouch:

http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/articles/article.aspx?ID=ST6A174877

[flyboy2]

Source:http://www.mweb.co.za/news/?p=article&i=101243

R100m heist: Fake IDs for gang?

2006-03-26 22:54:13http://www.news24.com/Images/Photos/20060326223827SAA_Tail.gif
Police believe that a gang of 10 armed robbers who lifted more than R100m at Johannesburg International Airport must have had false permits to be in the high-security loading zone. Johannesburg - Police believe that a gang of 10 armed robbers who lifted more than R100m at Johannesburg International Airport must have had false permits to be in the high-security loading zone.
The loading zone, where the money was stolen while about $16.5m (about R103.3m) was being offloaded, is one of four at the airport.

Access to these zones, where SAA flight 237 was being offloaded, is accessible only with an Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) permit, said senior superintendent Vish Naidoo of the national police.

Meanwhile, a source inside SAA said the robbery - the sixth major one in five years - could lead to bad vibes between Acsa and international airlines.

There also seems to be confusion about who was responsible for what in these high-security areas.

Naidoo said a gang of about 10 - split in two groups - hit the airport at 10:30 on Sunday while SAA's valuta (dollar and rand notes) was being offloaded under guard from flight 237.

Money destined for other countries

The aircraft had arrived from Heathrow Airport in London and was parked at Delta parking, one of the four loading zones, when the robbers hit.

The valuta was on its way to Tanzania and another country in Africa.

Naidoo said: "Two robbers armed with assault rifles overpowered and disarmed the two policemen and two guards keeping an eye on the money bags.

"The robbers fled with their loot on foot to where accomplices were waiting at a gate."

Up to six other robbers, also armed with assault rifles, had simultaneously held up guards at the gates.

The gang then loaded the money on to a bakkie and left without firing a single shot.

Naidoo said police knew through which gates the robbers had left, but didn't know how they had gained access.

They suspected the robbers had used false permits.

The SAA source said the airline was paying Acsa for services to ensure its clients' freight was safe - which didn't happen in this instance.

But, Acsa spokesperson Solomon Makgale said contracted security guards were responsible for guarding access points to the airport, while the guards responsible for the money, were employed by a company appointed by the airline.

SAA spokesperson Jacqui O'Sullivan denied this.

Not our responsibility, says SAA

"SAA doesn't have its own private contracted guards at the airport.

"Guarding of precious freight is the responsibility of the police and Guardforce, Acsa's contracted security guards," she said.

Police took over and boosted security at the airport in 2004 after three policemen had been wounded during a shootout with robbers at one of the loading zones.

News24/Beeld

[makeapullup]

Something sounds fishy. Poor reasoning from the SAPS that they got in with false ACSA permits. On our side of the airport we can't even bring in our cellphones! So permits aside how do you sneak AK47's into the airport?

[Deskjocky]

Guys lets face facts, ACSA is only getting what it deserves- all they care about is renting shops out and charging outlandish prices for parking. Running the airside is an inconvenient necessity. Its completely strange how ACSA now say its SAA who must handle security- the area is a national key point- it should be one of the most secure environments in the country!!

This whole thing is just symptomatic of a bigger problem at the airport- there are a number of syndicates running the airport- they divide the place up, some do the baggage side, others cargo etc- again ACSA say its the airlines problem to ensure that their passengers bags/cargo/valuables are secure- absolutely ridiculous! If the public only knew how often valuable cargo is stolen from the airside, how many cars are stolen from so called secure parking lots and how many bags are pilfered, how many valuables are stolen form the members of the public on airport property.

If the cops thing the permits were false then they are stupid- those who committed this crime WORK AT THE AIRPORT!!

The root cause to this problem is ACSA's unwillingness to grapple with the real issues it faces, instead choosing to point fingers and look to enforce petty regulations on the law abiding part of the airport community- yellow jackets, speed restrictions etc The guy carrying the A47 in broad day light- stop him? no way pal, not going to happen!!! Its much the same as the cops setting roadblocks up in Sandton- chaps driving BMW's aren’t about to pull a gun now are they....

[Solid Rust Twotter]

...Or targeting the law abiding owners of licensed firearms while paying absolutely no attention to the proliferation of unlicensed automatic weapons, many of them from arms caches used during the "struggle" and now by criminals.

The police speculation that it may have been an inside job is laughable.

Police dog = Brain on a chain

[rags]

This is an inside job. Starting at the freight staff giving the info away, to the gate staff letting them in with a AK, or do they just chuck it over the fence. How come so few security staff is supervising the offloading. Poor management of this by all security staff, from the police to the airport security (mainly ex cops):rolleyes:

[Deskjocky]

Just as an aside, ACSA gave notice to the company contracted to provide security at the perimiter of JIA, so effectivly the guards on duty at the gates are out of a job at the end of the month- interesting way to collect your retrenchment pay perhaps?

[Goldfish Jack]

Of course it was an inside job....

The 2 ASCA contracted guards were dismissed 2 months ago, but did not return their permits, so they had valid permits and were able to gain acess to the airside.

One must also remember that the new SAA PRO ( Jackie O Sullivan) used to work for ACSA and left under suspicious circumstances, so she would welcome any opportunity to have a go at her last company.

It is also turning into a personal spate between ACSA and ms O Sullivan - watch this space for more mudslandering between them.............

[Deskjocky]

I dont think its so much a situation of Jacqui wanting to take a shot at ACSA as SAA wanting to make sure this mud doesnt stick to them. They have been having a running battle with ACSA on some issues for quite a while and this is just a continuation of that.

[Blah Blah Fishpaste]

They just caught the buggers at Beit Bridge trying to flee to Mugabe's free and fair Zim.

No prizes for guessing folks, they were all ACSA employees!:8

A couple of males and females so watch the press for names of your buddies!

Now where did i put my permit???;)

[B Sousa]

But did they get the Money??

[Deskjocky]

They recoeverd the cash....
Detectives began investigations immediately and within hours two foreign nationals were arrested at the Beit Bridge border post. A further three people, all ACSA officials - two men and a woman - were arrested a short while later. The detectives recovered an undisclosed amount of money, two rifles, a pistol, a bolt cutter, magazines and ammunition. The suspects face possible charges of armed robbery, pointing of firearm as well as charges relating to the contravening the Aviation Act at this stage. They are expected to appear in the Kempton Park magistrates court this morning, 29 March 2006 on these charges.


2 of the 3 (alleged) crooks who worked for ACSA were also duty managers at the airport!

[B Sousa]

"The detectives recovered an undisclosed amount of money"

Undisclosed in Africa, could be about R10. Would restore a lot of faith if it turned up to be all the cash.....

Still think a "Sting" with Carte Blanche to eliminate the threat would make folks think twice.......about a next time.

[Deskjocky]

Undisclosed= 200 000 USD! seems they are still 16m USD short- Africa is alive and well!!!