Cape Town - The Airports Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has responded after questions were raised when Islamic headgear and coverings for women were emphasised in a recent security notice on airport screenings and searches at the Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport.
The airport last week announced via Facebook that, as part of security measures, persons wearing any kind of headgear including headwraps, hijabs, burkas or niqabs would undergo a physical search.
It added that searches could be conducted in an enclosed area, upon request.
Travellers were advised that proceeding through any security screening would require the person to remove any headgear. This included caps, hats, kippah, kufi, and hoodies.
“It is mandatory for all individuals wearing headwraps, hijabs, burkas or niqabs to undergo a physical search, and any fixed headgear will undergo a pat down,” the notice read.
The post has since been deleted and updated.
In a statement released on Saturday, Acsa said its security protocols included random searches and that these standard practices were in line with the security manual of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Acsa said headgear, including fixed or religious and cultural headgear, may be required to be removed during the screening process.
It added that physical searches would be conducted with “due sensitivity to recognised religious and cultural practices” and that an appropriate space to conduct a physical search may be provided upon request.
“We would like to categorically state that Acsa does not have any policies or procedures that discriminate against any passengers or airport users on the basis of gender, race, cultural beliefs, religion, or place of origin,” said Acsa’s group executive for enterprise security, Mzwandile Petros.
“South Africa is a constitutional democracy that accords equal regard to all individuals regardless of their faith, race, gender or cultural background.
“Acsa, as a state-owned company, subscribes to all principles as espoused in the Constitution, which ensure a free and equal society.
“Furthermore, we are always ready to observe and defend the rights of all persons at the facilities we manage,” the company said.
Attorney Ayesha Royker said the original notice could have been worded better and published in a more inclusive manner, reflecting the diverse religious practices in South Africa, also requiring head coverings not depicted in the post.
“While I note that these are internationally accepted procedures, there are more modern hand-held scanners being used in the UK, Europe and the US which negate the need for a physical search on the basis of the head covering alone.
“This means that passengers would only be physically searched if all other means have been exhausted.”
Incidents of unfair discrimination can be reported via the Acsa free hotline number: 0800008080 or alternatively email [email protected]
Cape Argus