ACSA denies targeting Muslim women for airport searches
The Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) has moved to clarify reports that Muslim women are being targeted for searches at the OR Tambo International Airport.
ACSA briefed the media on Tuesday morning to give an update on preparations ahead of the festive season.
Chief executive Mpumi Mpofu says that procedures that involve 'patting down' the headgear of passengers is not targeted at some religions but rather an international procedure.
"I must hasten to give you comfort that this was not the case. All people wearing headgear are searched or asked to take it off, and normally when they are not able to take it off and when they are not able to take it off, they have the option of being searched privately in a room across the security point.
"Alternatively, they must agree that the security personnel must pat them down. And that patting down is part of an international procedure that is practised across the globe."
The comments by Mpofu come as a woman from Durban said she felt targeted for a search by security at OR Tambo last month.
It is alleged that security staff asked that she remove her hijab for a search.
Mpofu says these searches have nothing to do with one's religious affiliations.
"We've had to communicate very clearly and we've met and engaged with the Muslim Judicial Council and the United Ulama Council of South Africa just so that we are clarifying what the procedures are and to give them comfort that this matter is not targeted at that particular community alone."
