Now Policing at Airport Should Really Take Off; Metro Cops Issue Warning After Signing Deal with Acsa

Motorists who flout traffic laws at O R Tambo International Airport will be held accountable for their civil disobedience.

This comes as the Ekurhuleni metro police department tightens the screws on law enforcement at the airport.

Policing is to be stepped up a gear after the signing of a memorandum of understanding agreement between the Ekurhuleni metro police department and the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) last week.

The agreement paved the way for better traffic flow at O R Tambo International, said Ekurhuleni metro's city manager, Patrick Flusk.

It has also made provision for the establishment of an Ekurhuleni metro police department precinct at the airport, which will operate 24 hours a day every day and will be staffed by a minimum of 50 metro police officers.

Metro police chief Robert McBride said the aim of the agreement was to ensure that the metro police department's preconditions were met in order to maintain a high level of traffic and security enforcement within the O R Tambo precinct.

"Acsa has undertaken to provide the metro police with vital support infrastructure, such as operations offices and vehicle pounds," he said.

McBride added: "We take our role in the traffic and security environment at O R Tambo very seriously, and look forward to a close working relationship with Acsa as well as the South African Police Service, who are also based at the airport."

One of the critical points contained in the agreement was the enforcement of traffic laws at the airport, he added.

"The Ekurhuleni metro police have committed themselves to ensuring a free flow of traffic, enforcing speed restrictions and removing and impounding abandoned or unattended vehicles.," McBride said.

Acsa's manager, Kesavan Naicker, said: "The prospect of a formalised Ekurhuleni metro police presence at our airport is of vital importance, as security within the public and restricted areas at the airport is a top priority for Acsa.

"The signing of this agreement will ensure a safer airport environment," he said.

"The metro police department has also undertaken to focus on a number of security initiatives. An increased focus on crime prevention, for instance, will ensure high visibility, regular patrols and regular crime-prevention operations and the implementation of municipal by-laws," Naicker said.

Acsa pledged its full support to the metro police in the new initiative.

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