The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has taken note of the fire incident at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) that led to the suspension of international departures, diversion of flights, and widespread disruption of critical airport IT systems. While we welcome confirmation that the fire has been extinguished and that passengers, staff, and visitors are reported to be safe, this occurrence reveals that our key transport infrastructure is poorly maintained and ill-prepared to deal with crises.
CTIA is a National Key Point, a strategic asset essential for economic activity, tourism, and international connectivity. Any major disruption here sends shockwaves through the national economy and undermines confidence in South Africa’s ability to protect and maintain critical infrastructure. It is therefore unacceptable that an incident affecting operational systems can halt international flights, strand travellers, and erode public trust.
Crucially, this is not the first time we have seen failures in the management and maintenance of our airports. Just earlier this year, a critical Air Traffic Control (ATC) system failure at O. R. Tambo International Airport disrupted air traffic operations, leading to widespread delays and cancellations while passengers and airlines struggled to manage the fall-out of a failed Flight Plan Management system.
In January 2025, South African airports, including Cape Town International and O. R. Tambo, were plunged into chaos due to power disruptions and a damaged cable at CTIA that impacted fuel and airport operations, causing delays for passengers and aircraft alike. Additionally, at times, our airports have struggled with basic infrastructure challenges such as fuel supply issues that threatened flight operations at O. R. Tambo, necessitating urgent government intervention to secure jet fuel supplies to keep planes flying.
These incidents — over just a short period — highlight a worrying pattern: our key airports are strained, under-resourced, and vulnerable to disruptions that could have been prevented or mitigated with proper maintenance, investment, and oversight.
The EFF has, on numerous occasions, raised these concerns in Parliament, in Portfolio Committee hearings, and in letters to Ministers and regulators. We have called for the summoning of ACSA leadership, airline executives, and transport regulators to account for deteriorating infrastructure, systemic failures, and the spiralling cost of air travel.
Therefore, whether it’s a maintenance issue or a security breach, this incident speaks to our concerns on the operational quality of our airports. That IT and network services were affected is even more concerning as it limits our ability to combat any harm that could arise whether due to infrastructure neglect or a security threat. The EFF once again calls on the Ministers of Transport, and Trade, Industry and Competition to account for these failures and present plans for the resuscitation of infrastructure in our airports.
Floyd Shivambu serves as the party’s Deputy President and is a prominent spokesperson.
marine dre
In Toronto I saw a bumper sticker on a parked car that read: \”I miss South Africa.\” So I broke the window, took the radio and left a note that read: \”I hope this helps.\”
Hedgeh0G2
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”