OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka airports flagged for organised-crime risks

South Africa's major international airports, OR Tambo, Cape Town, and King Shaka, have been identified as key targets for organized crime syndicates. These airports, along with associated air-cargo facilities, are flagged as strategic priority areas for organized crime, with numerous narcotics smuggling cases originating from the country's ports of entry.

This risk was highlighted during parliamentary inquiries by DA MP Lisa-Maré Schickerling, who sought information on national security risks, countermeasures, specialized task teams, and results of interventions. Law enforcement authorities have intercepted significant amounts of narcotics at these airports, including 84kg of cocaine and 250kg of crystal methamphetamine.

A recent operation in Musina uncovered a R600 million crystal methamphetamine laboratory, raising concerns over transnational drug cartels using South Africa as a manufacturing and distribution hub. Police confirmed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) views airports and air-cargo facilities as national security risks, and specialized multidisciplinary task teams have been activated to address these threats.

Despite these efforts, the reduction in aviation-security breaches across the three airports can be attributed to a layered security system, rather than a single intervention.