OR Tambo International Airport recorded the highest number of theft cases among South Africa’s three major international airports, according to figures released by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia.
More than 2 300 criminal and security-related incidents were reported at OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka international airports over three financial years, with theft accounting for the majority of cases.
The figures were revealed by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia in response to parliamentary questions from DA MP Lisa Schickerling, who requested details of crime and security incidents at the three airports.
OR Tambo records highest number of theft cases
According to Cachalia’s response, 2 339 incidents were reported across the three airports during the period under review.
OR Tambo International Airport recorded the highest number, with 1 487 incidents. Cape Town International Airport followed with 579, while King Shaka International Airport recorded 273.
Theft made up a substantial proportion of the reported cases.
OR Tambo recorded 1 369 theft cases, compared with 305 at Cape Town International Airport and 148 at King Shaka International Airport.
The figures highlight the scale of reported theft at the country’s busiest airport, although they do not establish the precise likelihood of an individual passenger having their luggage stolen.
Cachalia explained that the South African Police Service (SAPS) records incidents that are formally reported and registered as case dockets.
Unreported incidents, matters handled internally by airport operators or airlines, and intelligence that does not result in a registered case are excluded from the figures.
Baggage theft and security breaches
The parliamentary response also highlighted incidents involving baggage handling and baggage pilfering.
At least 346 such incidents were recorded at Cape Town and King Shaka international airports.
At OR Tambo, baggage handling and pilfering incidents were classified under theft-related dockets in the crime administration data. These were included in the theft figures to avoid double counting.
Aviation security breaches were recorded at Cape Town and King Shaka airports, with 21 cases at Cape Town and 11 at King Shaka, bringing the total to 32.
No robbery incidents were reported at OR Tambo or Cape Town international airports during the period. King Shaka, however, recorded nine incidents.
OR Tambo also recorded eight vehicle hijacking cases over the three financial years. Two were reported in 2023/24, followed by six in 2024/25, with none recorded in the financial year ending in March 2026.
Narcotics smuggling cases
The figures further showed that 106 cases involving narcotics smuggling were registered at OR Tambo International Airport, while Cape Town International Airport recorded 11.
Cachalia also clarified that the absence of a case classified as syndicate-related meant that no case had been formally registered under that specific description for the relevant airport and financial year.
The figures provide a snapshot of formally registered airport crime, rather than a complete account of every incident experienced by travellers.
For passengers, the theft totals underline the importance of keeping valuables secure and remaining alert to their belongings while travelling through South Africa’s major international airports.
Have you ever had luggage stolen or tampered with? If so, at which airport?
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