Duo arrested at CT Airport for disinformation of bomb scare

Two suspects were arrested at Cape Town International Airport, on Thursday evening, following a bomb scare.

The police bomb squad was deployed at the airport, after it was alerted to a possible security threat, causing anxiety for passengers who had boarded a plane for a scheduled flight, due to depart for OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

PHOOT: X - @Capetownint

In a statement, Airports Company SA said the security threat on FlySafair FA102 was managed by police and relevant law enforcement agencies.

‘’ACSA can confirm that airport and airline management was at the scene to ensure full compliance with all aviation safety and security protocols required by law. ACSA would like to assure the public that the reported security threat was an isolated incident triggered by comments made by two passengers aboard the aircraft. It must be made clear that the incident was isolated to a specific aircraft and SAPS have since declared the aircraft safe. The passengers were rebooked onto another flight and later arrived safely at their destination,’’ said Mark Maclean, ACSA Regional General Manager.

He described the incident as ‘’isolated’’

‘’ACSA would like to assure the public that the reported security threat was an isolated incident triggered by comments made by two passengers aboard the aircraft. It must be made clear that the incident was isolated to a specific aircraft and SAPS have since declared the aircraft safe. The passengers were rebooked onto another flight and later arrived safely at their destination.’’

‘’We can confirm that two suspects were apprehended, and that there are no further risks to airport operations. Airport management on site would like to assure passengers and stakeholders that operations at CTIA have not been impacted by the incident and that the airport is operating as normal this morning,’’ added Maclean

“Last night’s successfully mitigated threat again highlights the importance of why good incident management, collaboration, and security assurance are never taken lightly or compromised by airport and airline management.”

The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed the incident, saying the duo were arrested and charged with contravention of the civil aviation act following comments made on board that are classified as acts of unlawful interference with aircraft operations.

‘’The two men were removed from an aeroplane that had just boarded at the Cape Town International Aiport and was enroute to Johannesburg on Thursday just after 17:30. The pair allegedly uttered comments to a passenger suggesting that there is a threat on board that may endanger the safety of passengers and jeopardise operations on the aircraft. Cabin crew was alerted and Emergency procedures were activated,’’ said Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, SAPS spokesperson.

‘’SAPS K9 and Bomb technicians as well as the Special Task Force were called in. A tactical approach was activated and the suspects were removed from the aircraft. Passengers were also moved by the airline. SAPS K9 and Bomb Technicians proceeded to clear the aircraft where they only found two optic scopes for rifles which are not classified as dangerous weapons or items in terms of the Firearms Control Act of 2000,’’ she added.

Mathe reminded passengers and airport users that it is an offence to commit an act of violence, including an assault or threat, whether of a physical or verbal nature, against any person including a crew member which is likely to endanger the safety of that aircraft.

‘’It is also an offence to communicate information which he or she knows to be false to other passengers or aircraft crew. Disorderly behaviour , being in a state of intoxication and behaving in a violent manner is also a criminal offence.’’

 

Done by: Mitchum George