BY SETHABILE MYENI
MBABANE – The Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs has hosted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to finalize the Country’s Integrated Nuclear Security Sustainability Plan (INSSP) and prioritize nuclear security needs.
This happened at Mafini.
Principal Secretary, Khangeziwe Mabuza said the Ministry has since prioritized the country’s nuclear safety and security programme and is dedicated in working with all stakeholders in discharging their respective mandates.
“I am, therefore, convinced that our collective efforts will ensure that we leverage on the assistance and support from the IAEA for the provision of nuclear security assistance; enable us to apply a systematic structure and comprehensive approach to strengthening our nuclear security regime”, she said.
Mabuza added that this will enable Eswatini to identify, consolidate and prioritize all nuclear security needs for Eswatini in an integrated document.
According to a report by the Southern African Institute of International Affairs, Eswatini is a signatory to a number of international instruments in the field of nuclear safety and security.
The report reads:
In Eswatini, nuclear applications can be found in the areas of diagnostic medicine; agriculture for sustainable food security (through the use of irradiators); industrial radiography; and education and research.
For almost 50 years the only piece of legislation that dealt with radioactive sources was the Control of Radioactive Sources Act (1964), but it was never instituted. To remedy the situation, a national committee for radioactive sources was tasked to develop a comprehensive database and establish a national radiation safety infrastructure in 2017. The committee drafted the National Nuclear Regulatory Act (2018). This is a comprehensive law that addresses various regulatory aspects and establishes an independent regulatory body – the Nuclear Regulatory Department of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment Affairs (MTEA). The mandate of the regulator comprises radiation protection; the safety and security of radioactive sources; emergency preparedness and response; intra-governmental coordination; transport of radioactive material; radioactive waste and safeguards; and export and import controls.70
The implementation of the act has to take place in sync with the Mines and Minerals Act (2011), the Environment Management Act No. 5 (2002), the Disaster Management Act No. 1 (2006) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act No. 9 (2001). Environment authorisations are issued by the Eswatini Environment Authority at the MTEA.
However, existing facilities such as radiology departments in hospitals do not need authorisation as they were established prior to the act’s entry into force. On the other hand, the Minerals Management Board under the Minerals and Mines Ministry issues licences for reconnaissance, prospecting and mining. The authorisation and licencing procedures have to take place with the concurrence of the nuclear regulator.
In terms of policymaking, Eswatini has a special organ – the Public Policy Coordinating Unit (PPCU) – to ensure cohesion in the Cabinet’s performance. The unit helped to formulate Vision 2022 and the National Development Strategy. It must enable non-governmental organisations to participate in policymaking processes and channel contributions by the donor community.
The kingdom is a signatory to a number of international instruments in the field of nuclear safety and security. The country, which has been a member of IAEA since 2013, has signed two CSAs. It ratified the Pelindaba Treaty in 2000, the CTBT in 2016, and the CPPNM in 2003. Eswatini was a member of AFRA prior to 2020, when the revised agreement entered into force. It has not signed or ratified it. It is not a member of the FNRBA.
