Airports in South Africa will not be equipped w ith full body scanners despite heightened security concerns, after a Nigerian man smuggled explosives on to a US-bound Northwest airline plan e.
The US Transport Security Administration has issued a worldwide security directi ve requesting the increased pre-screening of passengers both prior to departure, as well as on board for flights destined for the US.
The Airports Company of SA (Acsa) on Monday said extensive security measures wer e already in place at the country’s airports “with more on the way”.
“Acsa is not considering procuring full body scanners at this stage,” said the c ompany’s spokesperson Nicky Knapp.
While South Africa is not a major terrorist target, national police spokesman Vi sh Naidoo said “in view of the 31 other countries participating in this yearâ™s World Cup, there is the potential for the threat of a terror attack”.
He said in order to counter this, government had launched proactive and reactive plans which include the intervention and the assistance of Interpol in the creation of databas
