Issued by: Ministry of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
STATEMENT BY DEPUTY MINISTER MS JOYCE MABUDAFHASI
23 July 1999 I have met with the British, French and Japanese diplomats on Thursday 22 July 1999 to be briefed of the intended shipment of nuclear fuel around the Cape of Good Hope.
Minister Valli Moosa has requested that I deal with this situation in his absence.
With regard to vessels transporting nuclear cargoes, the South African Cabinet already decided in November 1997 that vessels carrying nuclear material around the South African coast should be treated strictly in accordance with national and international law.
We accept that international law grants any state the right of freedom of navigation if its ships on the high seas or through states Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea of coastal states.
Notwithstanding, I have requested that the ships stay out of our territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The overriding interest of the South African government is in minimising any risk to human health, marine life and the environment by ensuring the safe passage of the ships to Japan.
We have received assurances in the briefing that the ships will not dock at any South African harbour. South African law requires that ships carrying nuclear material must have a licence to do so. Furthermore no application for a licence has been received by the South African regulatory authority, the Council for Nuclear Safety (CNS). Further assurances were received that the radiological protection and safety arrangements meet international standards.
I am constantly appraised of developments by an interdepartmental committee of officials, chaired by my department. The diplomats have been requested to communicate any new developments to this committee to ensure constant communication between my office, my department and the respective governments.
For further details contact
Mr. Jerry Lengoasa (012) 310 3709 or
Mr. Willem Scott (012) 310 3654