04 Dec 2018

Boteti Sub-district councillors say the introduction of Scannex (type of scanner) will be the end of human nature. 

The councillors expressed the misgiving in response to a presentation on the introduction of Scannex at Orapa and Karowe diamond mines. 

Mr Chajane Baleseng, a security manager at Lucara Botswana, had told the council that Scannex would be an excellent development in Botswana to ensure diamond safety. 

He said the scan would be used to detect if there were any diamond residues in a person’s body, adding that it would also help conserve time as opposed to the old procedure.

Mr Baleseng said in order to promote diamond safety they found it fit to come up with a new intervention that would ensure that indeed there was less risk of diamonds being stolen.

Meanwhile, Mr Mogwera Khoathane, a specialist in the use of the machine from Geoflux, said the scan is an invention that should be embraced because it is used even in developed countries such as USA. 

Mr Khoathane said that the energy of X-rays is easily controlled and user friendly, hence reduces the chances of putting workers’ lives at risk.

He said they could control the amount of x-rays produced and when they could be produced.

He stated that the number of scans per year is 250.

He admitted that improper use can lead to many lives being put at risk, but said the process can be managed by reducing radiation hazard by spending less time in the radiation field and using materials that help shield it. 

Mr Khoathane said the machine would be the same as machines used in airports and correctional service institutions.

The councillor for Orapa ward, Mr Keletso Seloi noted that the new development was a health hazard, accusing the mines of only being concerned about diamond safety, but not its workers.

“Government has to come up with a different way of scanning rather than putting many lives of innocent people in danger,” he said, adding that workers would be exposed to radiation gammas, which are not good for the human body.

Councillor Seloi said workers were not pleased with the new development, adding that as a councillor for Orapa he had to fight to protect his people.  

Councillor Cornelius Solomon opposed the idea that Scannex machine would be the same as machines used in airports saying, passengers used the machine occasionally, while employees would be using them on a continuous basis.

Councillor Orapeleng Dikgang complained that the Lucara representatives did not bring any medical evidence, proving that the Scannex was safe.ENDS