Image: Freepik
The grenades were flagged after landing in Ethiopia, exposing major security gaps at SA’s busiest airport.
ALSO READ: Last known elephant of Knysna forest spotted in rare sighting
A man travelling from Johannesburg to Addis Ababa passed through security at OR Tambo International Airport with two training hand grenades in his luggage — completely undetected.
The startling breach was only discovered when his suitcase was scanned at Ethiopia’s Bole International Airport, where staff intercepted the bag and reported the items, as per City Press.
The passenger had boarded Ethiopian Airlines flight ET808, raising immediate international aviation safety concerns.
The grenades were later confirmed to be training devices — typically used in military exercises to simulate the weight, look and even sound of a live grenade, but without the explosive charge. Despite this, such items are strictly prohibited in carry-on or checked luggage.
According to Central News, the incident triggered a R2 million fine against Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), levied by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who maintained that ultimate responsibility for airport security lies with Acsa — even in outsourced areas.
Acsa, however, claims the baggage screening area falls under the control of Aviation Coordination Services (ACS), a third-party company appointed by airlines. ACS has handled luggage screening at both OR Tambo and King Shaka International airports for nearly 20 years, operating under what Acsa describes as an “evergreen” contract that bypassed formal tender processes.
The relationship between Acsa and ACS has been strained for some time.
As City Press reports, Acsa previously tried to take back control of these security services to align with the Public Finance Management Act, but a court interdict — backed by the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) and the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (Barsa) — blocked the move. ACS has argued that the interdict delayed critical upgrades to their scanning systems.
In a statement, ACS admitted that its screening staff had flagged the grenades as a potential threat and escalated the luggage for further inspection. However, the scanner system ultimately cleared the bag, which ACS described as a “human error.” The screener responsible has since been dismissed, and the company insists it has intensified safety protocols.
“This was an isolated incident,” the statement read, according to City Press.
Acsa’s general manager of security, Mzwandile Petros — who has served in the role for seven years and was formerly Gauteng’s provincial police commissioner — has been placed on precautionary leave. Acsa declined to confirm whether the move is directly linked to the grenade incident, sources report.
Both South African and Ethiopian authorities are now investigating. Locally, a criminal case is underway, as the presence of even simulated explosive devices on a commercial aircraft could have had “catastrophic consequences,” City Press reported.
To prevent future lapses, Acsa has formed a new security committee involving the Border Management Agency, SAPS, the State Security Agency, crime intelligence, and Ekurhuleni metro police.
