The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed that two travellers passed away at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) in Gauteng and King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) in KwaZulu-Natal respectively on Saturday.
At ORTIA, officials were notified at 3.10pm that an individual had fallen from parking level 5 to the ground level. Law enforcement and airport health officials responded immediately, and paramedics later declared the unidentified traveller dead at the scene.
The airports company also confirmed that an unidentified male passenger passed away at King Shaka International Airport. The passenger reportedly collapsed at the airport terminal’s domestic arrival area.
Acsa said emergency services were immediately called and attended to him, but he was declared dead on the scene.
The airports company said the cause of death in both incidents was still unknown; however, they can confirm that the matter has been handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and that an inquest docket has been opened for further investigations.
“ACSA extends deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of both travellers during this difficult time,” said Acsa spokesperson Ernest Mulibana.
Meanwhile, National Commissioner of SAPS General Fannie Masemola has reiterated that South Africa is not a haven for criminals, emphasising that anyone breaking the law will be tracked down and held accountable.
He also commended the multidisciplinary team at OR Tambo International Airport for their ongoing vigilance, which has consistently produced positive results.
In the past two months, more than R13 million worth of drugs including R12 million worth of cocaine has been seized at the airport.
About nine drug traffickers/drug mules have been arrested during this same period. All suspects were arrested in the possession of these drugs.
In the latest success, OR Tambo police led the arrest of a Nigerian drug mule on Friday evening.
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda said police were working closely with airport security, Border Management Authority (BMA), customs officials and ACSA staff when the arrests were effected.
“This drug mule had just landed from São Paulo and was connecting to Nigeria when he met with a cleaner at the airport and handed him with airline headphones. Suspecting that there was something amiss, the team opened the aircraft headphones and found cocaine stashed in the headphones,” said Mathe.
She said the drug mule, who claims he is a street vendor from Nigeria, told authorities that he was in Brazil to buy clothes and shoes which he sells in his home country. Mathe said police are investigating this aspect to prove that this may be used as a decoy by this drug trafficker.
Mathe also reported that the cleaner, aware of the police pursuit, managed to evade arrest, prompting a manhunt.
General Masemola said the men and women in blue remain dedicated to putting a stop to the illicit drug trafficking trade.
He said these arrests and drug confiscations should serve as a deterrent to other drug traffickers, that they will be caught.
The Star
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