An armed robber was shot dead and another arrested after they held up Swissport security guards at the cargo precinct of O.R. Tambo International Airport on 1 July.

Airport spokesperson Leigh Gunkel-Keuler says a group of armed men held up and overpowered security guards employed by Checkport at the Swissport warehouse at 10.55h on 1 July.

The robbery took place on the public access land side of the cargo precinct and the robbers did not gain access to air side but allegedly made off in a hijacked cargo truck.

The robbers were confronted by South African Police Services members and Reshebile Protection Services staff at the Kempton Park off-ramp of the highway, a few kilometres from the precinct.

Two gang members attempted to fleet on foot resulting in a shootout with one robber being killed and another arrested.

Swissport South Africa vice president, Bob Gurr says it is not known how many robbers were involved or what was stolen as part of the robbery.

Gunkel-Keuler says airport management were very grateful for the swift action of SAPS and Reshebile staff, saying: “This speaks to the collaborative effort between Airport Management, SAPS and other key stakeholders in an attempt to arrest this very dire crime situation, we therefore want to congratulate our contracted security company, Reshebile Protection Services and the SAPS on this very vital arrest.”