OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Monday 2.15pm.
THE South African government has expressed its concern about a proposal to ship nuclear fuel around the Cape, and has called for a full report from other governments involved.
Environment Minister Valli Moosa on Monday said government was taking the matter seriously and was contemplating its options.
The Pacific Pintail is currently in the southern Irish Sea loaded with 225 kg of plutonium.
Its sister ship is en route to Cherbourg in northern France, where it’s expected to pick up its cargo of 221 kg.
Riot police reinforcements have arrived in the Channel port ahead of the docking of the Pacific Teal to contain any possible protests by Greenpeace activists.
The ships, which are heavily armed, will then set sail for Japan together. Their route and date of arrival are not being released until after they have left European waters.
Moosa says he’s awaiting a detailed report from his department as well as representatives of the relevant governments in order to obtain full information on the situation concerning the proposed shipments:
“It is imperative that everybody concerned must realise that the transportation of nuclear waste should not be taken lightly … such transportation should at no time create any risk to either the South African population or the marine ecology.”