Forensic probes ordered after liquidated aviation firm stayed on Sacaa approved list

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has ordered independent forensic investigations after media reports revealed a liquidated security firm remained on the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s approved suppliers list despite a later audit and ongoing state work.

What The Citizen found

According to The Citizen, Reshebile Aviation and Protection Services was placed into final liquidation in 2023, yet the regulator audited and approved the company in 2025. The Citizen also reports that Sacaa’s January 2026 list of approved aviation security screening organisations still named Reshebile as authorised to conduct passenger, hold-baggage, vehicle and cargo screening at several major airports, with approval listed as valid until 4 November 2026.

Regulator response and timeline

The Citizen says the authority told the newspaper it only became aware of the company’s liquidation on 4 August 2026, the day The Citizen sent questions, and that Sacaa has since begun the required regulatory process. A Sacaa employee who blew the whistle on the matter questioned how a company placed into final liquidation in 2023 could have passed a Sacaa audit in 2025, remained on the regulator’s approved list in January 2026 and only come to the regulator’s attention when questions were asked, according to The Citizen.

Government action

According to The Citizen, the revelation prompted Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to order independent forensic investigations into Sacaa, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) and security contracts at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).

Concerns from aviation and oversight voices

The Citizen quotes aviation attorney and pilot Emile Myburgh saying it is hard to accept that the liquidation status could have been overlooked and that such a status should have triggered closer scrutiny. The Citizen also quotes Wayne Duvenage of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse calling the situation concerning and saying Sacaa should independently verify the legal status of approved aviation security organisations, according to The Citizen.

Next steps

The Citizen reports Sacaa said its primary mandate is civil aviation safety, security and environmental compliance and that operators are expected to notify the regulator of any status changes that could affect safety and security. The agency said it is empowered to act on operational misconduct and regulatory breaches and that it has begun the required process after being notified of the liquidation, according to The Citizen.