South African Airports Record 2339 Crime Incidents

The nation's three major international airports registered thousands of criminal cases over the past three financial years.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Property Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting a stylized airport terminal facade in navy and cream, evoking institutional transit security concerns. — South Africa's three major international airports recorded 2,339 criminal and security incidents between 2023 and 2026, primarily involving theft. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Between the 2023/24 financial year and March 2026, 2339 security and criminal incidents were reported at OR Tambo, Cape Town, and King Shaka International Airports. Theft emerged as the most frequent offence across all three facilities.

Why it matters

The high volume of reported incidents underscores significant security challenges facing major aviation hubs. These figures highlight the persistent risk of theft and the necessity for robust monitoring at primary transit points.

SAPS confirmed 2339 incidents were formally registered as case dockets at the three major airports. Data indicates 1822 total theft cases across these sites, including 346 incidents specifically involving baggage handling and pilfering.

The players

South African Police Service (SAPS)

SAPS is the national police force responsible for law enforcement and maintaining public safety across South Africa, including at its international airports.

OR Tambo International Airport

Located in Johannesburg, this is the busiest airport in Africa and serves as the primary international gateway for South Africa.

Cape Town International Airport

This facility is the second-largest airport in South Africa and serves as a major hub for tourism and business travel.

King Shaka International Airport

Serving the city of Durban, this airport is a critical piece of infrastructure for travel and trade in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

The details

The South African Police Service (SAPS) recorded cases strictly based on formal dockets, with theft-related reports at OR Tambo incorporating baggage handling incidents to prevent double counting. The total count also includes 32 aviation security breaches and 106 narcotics smuggling cases identified at OR Tambo.

Two vehicle hijacking cases occurred during the 2023/24 financial year.
Six vehicle hijacking cases occurred during the 2024/25 financial year.
No vehicle hijacking cases were recorded at OR Tambo in the period ending March 2026.

Legal Context

This reporting follows the standardized documentation patterns established by the SAPS national crime statistics reporting framework to account for airport-specific criminal incidents. These figures align with broader efforts to categorise property crime within major transit hubs through official dockets.

Travellers passing through these hubs should remain vigilant regarding their luggage and personal belongings to mitigate the high incidence of reported theft. The data indicates that passengers are encouraged to utilise secured baggage services and remain alert when travelling through these primary transit centres.

The takeaway

Maintaining close oversight of personal belongings is essential for anyone travelling through major transport hubs where property crime is frequently reported. Authorities continue to rely on formal case dockets to track these incidents and maintain site security.