An armed robber was shot dead and another arrested after they held up Swissport security guards in the cargo precinct of Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday (July 1) morning, airport management has confirmed.
Leigh Gunkel-Keuler, spokesperson for OR Tambo International Airport, said: "At 10.55am a group of armed men held up and overpowered security guards employed by Checkport at the Swissport warehouse at the cargo precinct.
"The robbery took place on the public access land side of the cargo precinct and the robbers did not gain access to the airside of the airport."
The spokesman continued: "It is alleged that the robbers made off in a hijacked cargo truck. Members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) and Reshebile Protection Services responded immediately. Reshebile is contracted to provide security services to the airport.
"A few kilometres from the cargo precinct, at the Kempton Park off-ramp of the highway, the robbers were confronted by SAPS members and Reshebile Security staff. Two members of the gang attempted to flee on foot. A shootout ensued in which one of the robbers was killed and another arrested."
It is not known exactly how many robbers carried out the hold-up and what was stolen. Investigations continue.
