ATC230927: Report of the Select Committee on Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy on the Ratification of the Amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear material, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996, and Explanatory Memorandum attached thereto, 26 September 2023.

NCOP Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy

Report of the Select Committee on Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy on the Ratification of the Amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear material, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996, and Explanatory Memorandum attached thereto, 26 September 2023.

 

The Select Committee on Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy, having considered the request for approval by Parliament for the Ratification of the Amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear material, tabled in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996, and Explanatory Memorandum attached thereto, referred to it on 21 August 2023, was briefed by the department on 5 September 2023. The committee welcomed the detailed presentation by the department, enquiring as to any deadline for the ratification of the agreement and for a list a countries party to the agreement, and indicating which of them have ratified the agreement. The committee further enquired whether South Africa (SA) has experienced any form of cyber-attack on any of our nuclear facilities.

 

The department’s response to the deadline of the IA was that the agreement has been in effect since 1996, but that no deadline existed for SA to ratify it. It would however be beneficial for SA to ratify it as soon as possible. The department agreed to provide the committee with a list of countries party to the agreement and which of those have ratified it. The department further added that no cyber attach has taken place on any of its facilities.

 

The Committee, after deliberating the matter recommends that the Council, in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, 1996, approves the said Agreement.

 

Report to be considered.