14 Jun 2018

Botswana is devoted to completely prohibit the production and possession  of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, says Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi.

Presenting the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Bill, Mr Kgathi said the bill was necessary as it was a proactive measure to criminalise any act of exploiting nuclear energy away from peaceful use to making weapons of mass destruction.

 The objective of the bill, he said was to domesticate the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as it intended to ensure that Botswana complied to and implemented her obligations under the treaty.

  He said the bill was also required in order for Botswana to comply with her obligations to criminalise terrorist activities and financing of weapons of mass destruction.

 “It should be noted that even though Botswana is among the least affected countries by global trends of terrorist attack and extreme violence, it is equally important for measures to be put in place to criminalise such acts,” said Minister Kgathi.

He added that offences committed in relation to nuclear weapons and explosive devices shall attract a fine of P25 million or life imprisonment or both.

Due to the danger that nuclear weapons possessed to the world, Minister Kgathi highlighted that a number of international instruments had been put in place to attempt to prevent nuclear proliferation and testing towards the promotion of nuclear disarmaments. He, however, stated that nuclear and atomic energy had been of great value to mankind for many good and beneficial purposes despite the dangers of nuclear weapons.

Minister Kgathi pointed out that the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty made provisions for the development, research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Botswana, therefore, he said may facilitate and have the right to participate in the exchange of equipment and scientific technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Responding to the bill presentation, Gaborone Central legislator, Dr Phenyo Butale stated that even though he supported the prohibition of nuclear weapons, government also needed to invest on the positive use of nuclear energy.

He said the generation of electricity through nuclear energy reduced the amount of energy generated from fossil fuels which would lower greenhouse gas emissions and others.

 The use of nuclear energy, he said, could contribute to the country’s economy and was capable of creating employment opportunities for locals.  

He said there was an opportunity in research on how to optimise nuclear energy for the betterment of Batswana.

Since the ratification to domesticate the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Energy Treaty in 1968, he said Botswana needed to ensure that she implemented her obligations under the treaty.

Gabane-Mmangodi Member of Parliament, Major General Pius Mokgware applauded the proposed bill, saying nuclear weapons had in the past proven their destruction as in their tragic effects in the Second World War.

He said it was only appropriate for Botswana to completely prohibit the use of nuclear weapons in the interest of ensuring the safety of Batswana. ENDS