The owners of OR Tambo International Airport are investigating the theft of a woman's bag as she checked in, and a later theft from her bank account using her stolen bank cards, a company spokesman said yesterday.

"It appears that the passenger's bag was taken at the entrance to the terminal building from the roadway," said Airports Company of SA (Acsa) spokesman Solomon Makgale.

Joyce Makuke said her bag was stolen at the airport but when she asked a security official to review closed circuit television (CCTV) footage, she was told it was not working.

She suggested foul play because when she returned with police they found it was working.

She alleged money was also withdrawn from her accounts, but she did not know how her secret access number was obtained.

Makgale said an Acsa investigation had established the CCTV was working and had captured the theft, by a man in civilian clothes. The company was working with police to identify the person filmed.

It was still trying to establish to whom Makuke reported the crime.

Acsa uses two companies as security contractors, while other officials also patrol.

"It is unclear as to which guard she approached," said Makgale, adding that Makuke had claimed the guards' control room was empty when she went there.

"Such alleged behaviour is uncommon as our security personnel assists many passengers," said Makgale.

"Our CCTV control room is available on a 24-hour basis. However, after-hours the request would need to be made through the helpdesk on 011 921 6262 or, alternatively, contacting the security control room directly on 011 921 6655, or going directly to the Acsa information counter for assistance.

"We do not have any reports on file that indicate that the passenger made use of any one of these channels.

"What we do have on record is that the passenger was brought through the following day by the SAPS to conduct the review of CCTV footage after the incident had happened."

He added: "This is an isolated incident. We have not received similar complaints recently. We all appreciate that crime is a serious issue in our country and our airports are no exception.

"We therefore urge passengers to exercise extra caution when using ATMs and handling cash in public areas."

Police comment was not immediately available.

By SAPA