Theft remains concern at SA’s three major airports despite falling cases

South Africa's three principal international airports continue to face theft, drug smuggling and other organised-crime threats, although official police figures indicate that reported theft cases have declined rather than increased.

OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport in Durban have been identified as important security-risk locations in information released by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

However, the available figures do not establish that baggage theft specifically is increasing at all three airports.

IOL reported that police had recorded 117 narcotics-smuggling cases across the three airports between the 2023/24 and 2025/26 financial years. Over the same period, annual theft cases declined from 631 to 586.

The figures cover reported theft more broadly and should not be interpreted as a baggage-theft count without further clarification.

Security indicators show improvement

According to figures attributed to police authorities, several other categories of airport-related crime have also declined.

The figures suggest improvements in some aspects of airport security, although the continued occurrence of hundreds of theft cases indicates that the problem has not been eliminated.

Police have highlighted integrated security operations involving law enforcement and airport stakeholders as part of efforts to counter organised criminal activity.

Drug trafficking remains a significant concern because international airports are important transit points for both passengers and cargo.

The involvement of organised criminal networks can also create risks for airport workers, travellers and businesses operating within aviation facilities.

Baggage theft requires separate scrutiny

Theft from checked luggage is a particularly sensitive issue for passengers because bags pass through several stages of handling between check-in and collection.

However, the available SAPS figures do not distinguish clearly between theft from baggage, theft elsewhere in airport facilities and other property-related offences. That distinction is important when assessing whether baggage handling itself represents a growing security failure.

It would therefore be premature to claim that baggage theft has reached crisis proportions at all three airports solely on the basis of the reported figures. The data nevertheless supports continued concern about theft and organised criminal activity at South Africa's main aviation gateways.

For Airports Company South Africa and its security partners, the challenge is to sustain reductions in reported crime while improving public confidence in baggage handling and airport security.

Sources: IOL/Cape Argus, The Mercury, South African Police Service statistics & statements attributed to police authorities.