02 Feb 2022

The Nuclear Weapons (Prohibition) Act is to be amended to align it with the Counter Terrorism Act.

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Minister Mr Kagiso Mmusi said this when presenting the Nuclear Weapons (Prohibition) Amendment Bill to Parliament.

He said the amendment would allow the use and sale of uranium and other related chemicals to be licensed accordingly.

Debating the bill, Serowe North MP, Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe said he was equally concerned by the consequences resulting from misuse and mishandling of uranium and other chemicals relating to nuclear weapons.

Mr Mathoothe said deposits of uranium were at Serule, adding that since the mineral was used to produce nuclear weapons, the country must have proper legislation to guide its use and management.

Even though used to generate energy and in other products of advanced technology, Mr Mathoothe said mishandling of the mineral would have dire consequences for health and the environment.

He said unemployed professionals in that field were likely to be lured with lucrative incentives by criminal masterminds with terrorist intentions.

Kgalagadi North MP, Ms Talitha Monnakgotla said criminals financing terrorism were also involved in the manufacture of nuclear weapons.

She said the country had to align its laws with those of counter terrorism, have the capacity to investigate money generated through criminal activities which might be used to sponsor terrorists and production of illicit chemicals and nuclear weapons.

MP Molebatsi Molebatsi of Mmadinare said the changes proposed were meant to safeguard human life, adding that it was mandatory for the country to have laws that control the use of nuclear weapons.

He highlighted that chemicals used in nuclear weapons could be used to generate power or for medicinal purposes and whoever diverts from the prescribed use to produce nuclear weapons must face the law. Mr Molebatsi said it was possible for some individuals to be devious and misuse their authority and produce unlicensed products and goods. He said even in a case where uranium was used to generate power radioactive fallouts were likely to affect the health of people.

He gave an example of Hiroshima in Japan, which was hit by an atomic bomb and the effects were still felt although that happened in 1945. He said emphasis must be on positive use and proper handling of such chemicals.

Meanwhile, Ramotswa MP, Mr Lefoko Moagi said in 2011, there was over supply of uranium worldwide, resulting in dreadful accidents from misuse of the chemical hence government must focus on regulating minerals used in producing nuclear weapons and strongly advocate for their positive use such as producing fertilisers and medicines.

Mahalapye West legislator, Mr David Tshere said radiation was for a long time used for medicinal purposes and suggested that while amending the laws to deal with nuclear weapons, the country must also consider a storage facility for nuclear waste. He also said the dilapidated asbestos structures at schools were a health hazard and must be urgently dealt with.

On a positive note, Mr Tshere said uranium could positively be used to increase power generation, adding that if the country was to export uranium, caution must be taken not to engage with businesses using the mineral to produce nuclear weapons.

The Bill has since passed all the stages and is awaiting the President’s signature. Ends