Zimpapers Logo

Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter

All security agencies operating at Zimbabwean airports should come under a central command structure with a policy to deal with insider threats, Airports Company of Zimbabwe chief aviation security officer Mr Gilbert Chimoto told a parliamentary committee yesterday.

The Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services was touring Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as part of their countrywide assessment of security measures at the country’s entry and exit points to curb smuggling of minerals.

Mr Chimoto said Airports Company of Zimbabwe recommended streamlined co-ordination of security agencies operating at the airport. 

“We need a centralised command structure for all security agents so that we work together as a team. 

“Another challenge is insider threats, like any organisation in the world this is becoming a menace, because they know how to circumvent the system,” he said.

Each security entity that is working at the airport had to develop policies to deal with these insider threats in their own ranks.

To screen for mineral smuggling, he suggested a security point should be put at the entrance to the airport where those with knowledge of minerals would be deployed to enhance security while new and latest electronic devices to screen people entering airports was needed.

The smuggling of minerals especially gold is seen as a problem.

Chairman of the Committee and Umzingwane legislator, Retired Brigadier General Levy Maihlome said the committee was generally satisfied with the security measures at the airport but said more should be done especially installation of latest technologies.