Cablegate: South Africa: $16million Johannesburg Airport Heist

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PP RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR
DE RUEHSA #1313/01 0930418
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 030418Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2535
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 0225
RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR 1088
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 1057
RHMFIUU/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 001313

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES FOR PBALL
AMEMBASSY DAKAR FOR FAA/EJONES
AMEMBASSY ROME FOR TSA/JHALINSKI
DHS PLEASE PASS TO TSA
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO FAA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ASEC ECON SF
SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA: $16MILLION JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT HEIST

REF: 04 PRETORIA 764

(U) Sensitive but Unclassified; Protect accordingly. Not for
internet distribution.

1. (SBU) Fifteen armed men stole an estimated R100 million
($16 million) in foreign currency, mostly U.S. dollars, from
a South African Airways passenger plane at Johannesburg
International Airport (JIA) on March 25. No shots were
fired. The heist, which police suspect was an inside job,
follows similar thefts at the airport of gold, platinum,
diamonds, and cash during the past four years. Police
arrested five suspects - two foreign nationals and three
senior airport managers. In the wake of the most recent
heist, Transport Minister Radebe defended the safety of South
African airports and promised another review of security
measures. End Summary.

2. (SBU) On March 25 at 10 a.m., two men armed with AK-47s
overwhelmed and disarmed guards unloading an estimated R100
million ($16 million) in foreign currency, including $11.5
million, from a South African Airways jet that had just
arrived from London. Meanwhile, other members of the gang
held up guards at airport gates. No shots were fired and the
men got away. Reuben Pillay, Assistant Manager of Aviation
Security for ACSA (Airports Company South Africa), later told
Econoff that the thieves waited until passengers had deplaned
before commencing their attack. National police spokesperson
Senior Superintendent Vishnu Naidoo said that the police
suspected an inside job. Pillay told Econoff that the gang
somehow managed to obtain official airport security badges
that allowed them access to restricted areas.

3. (SBU) Within a few hours of the robbery, police arrested
two foreign nationals at the Beitbridge border post with
Zimbabwe. Police recovered $200,000 in cash, weapons, and
ammunition. Three days after the heist, police arrested
three senior ACSA managers: Duty Managers Nazir Ismail and
Rookaya Ibrahim, and Bird and Wildlife Officer Seqan
Soobramoney. Naidoo said the suspects face possible charges
of armed robbery and charges related to contravening the
Aviation Act. ACSA suspended the three arrested managers who
allegedly had access to restricted zones at the airport.

4. (SBU) Following a similar heist of gold, diamonds, and
platinum from a KLM aircraft in September 2004, Minister of
Transport Jeffrey Radebe announced a R100 million plan to
upgrade security at airports nationwide. Part of the security
upgrade involved the installation of closed circuit
surveillance cameras. When Econoff toured JIA in December
2005, ACSA had installed the cameras but had not yet hired
the staff to monitor them. The upgrade included creating an
executive security position at South Africa's Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA), but that position remains vacant. High
staff turnover plagues the CAA which has been without a CEO
for three years. Mr. Zakes Myeza, formerly Executive Director
at the Johannesburg Development Agency, will fill that
position in April. Radebe's spokesperson, Collen Msibi,
announced that Radebe had appointed an interagency committee
to assess the airport's security situation. In the wake of
the most recent heist, Radebe defended the safety of property
and customers at ACSA run airports. On March 31, ACSA
spokesperson Solomon Makgale announced that ACSA has decided
not to renew the contracts for two firms responsible for
security at the airport and has appointed two others in their
place. Makagle said the nonrenewal of the contracts was
coincidental and not linked to the recent robbery.

5. (SBU) Paul O'Sullivan, ACSA's former head of airport
security, shares the contention by police that the heist was
an inside job. O'Sullivan claims that while he was head of
security he uncovered a criminal syndicate at the airport
which included police, customs, immigration and security
officials, as well as cleaning staff, baggage handlers, and
airline staff. He says that he was close to unraveling the
syndicate when he was dismissed by ACSA in 2003 for
"irreconcilable differences." O'Sullivan is suing ACSA for
$20 million for defamation of character.

6. (SBU) Airline executives from Delta and South African
Airways as well as the CEO of the South African Board of
Airline Representatives have complained to Econoff about

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problems with airport security, particularly luggage
pilferage which is becoming widespread. The Embassy has also
become increasingly aware of this problem. In March 2006,
for example, the Embassy received a report that every bag
belonging to a group of seven conferees flying out of JIA to
attend an AID-sponsored event was pilfered. South African
Airlines reported that in 2005 it received between 30 and 50
reports of luggage pilferage each day, costing the airline
R40 million ($6.4 million) per year. Airline executives told
Econoff that in their opinion airport officials have quickly
tightened security in advance of Federal Aviation
Administration or Transportation Security Administration
(TSA) visits and then relaxed it after the inspectors leave.
JIA security fared well in a February 2005 TSA visit.
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