Surveillance Cameras not working OR Tambo International Airport

On the evening of Friday, the 10th of March 2023, I dropped my purse that contained 2 cellphones, money amounting to R500, my ID card and Drivers Licence next to the lower level pillar 16 around 20:20 while I was being picked up by my husband who was driving a Ford Ranger. When I discovered my black purse was lost, my husband and I drove back to look for it. We got to the spot and could not find it. I proceeded to the police station whereby I was accompanied by a police officer to go and review footage of the place where the purse was lost, and the cameras were not working. I do believe that the person that picked up the purse is an ACSA employee/affiliate (i.e. one of the guards that direct traffic and clamp vehicles) because on the Find My iPhone app, the phone was switched off that evening and temporarily switch on at an address in Kempton Park where it was as flashed/erased(7 Central Avenue). Upon inspection, this address is an unregulated and dingy place where they fix phones. In addition to this, I also discovered that one of my cards was used to buy KFC in Kempton Park and to fill up petrol for R25 around Kempton Park.

In conclusion, it is my belief that my possessions would have been found and the offender, who I believe is an ACSA employee or affiliate, would be in prosecution by now if you surveillance cameras were functional. It is appalling to note that surveillance cameras of the busiest airport in South Africa, if not Africa, are not operational. I am now a victim of a crime that could have been easily solved, if your most basic security equipment would have been fully operational. It is apparent that the safety of ACSA patrons is of no concern to ACSA as a whole. I am very disappointed indeed. To the patrons of OR Tambo International Airport, never, even for a split second, believe that you, your loved ones or your belongings are safe in this airport terminal.

I will look forward to your views regarding this very concerning situation