The International Atomic Energy Agency expressed confidence in South African nuclear security efforts in the wake of the attempted raid on a research reactor in November, the Sowetan newspaper reported yesterday (see GSN, Dec. 20, 2007).
The U.N. nuclear watchdog announced last week that experts were in South Africa "to exchange views on the lessons learned" from the Nov. 8 incident in which two groups tried to storm the Pelindaba nuclear facility. Security guards were able to fend off one group following an exchange of gunfire, but the other intruders entered secure areas, stole a computer and shot an employee before escaping (see GSN, Nov. 14, 2007).
The international inspectors determined that personnel at the site were "taking appropriate actions which they could not add to" and "that no nuclear installation was (ever) under threat," said Chantal Janneker, a spokesman for the National Energy Corporation of South Africa, or NECSA.
The U.N. nuclear watchdog team added that "NECSA provides adequate protection for its nuclear installations [and] that NECSA has good practices in respect of its security system that should be shared with (other IAEA members)," Janneker said.
The South African National Nuclear Regulator, however, has asked NECSA officials to conduct additional security patrols at Pelindaba, rotate its control room staffers and clear foliage to eliminate hiding places for possible intruders.
"The NNR remains concerned about the situation and has directed NECSA to implement additional security measures and undertake a comprehensive review of all current security provisions," said National Nuclear Regulator spokesman Phil Nkwashu.
"Furthermore, similar oversight measures will be undertaken at other South African nuclear facilities where it is deemed necessary," he said.
His agency has reviewed evidence that "points to negligence on the part of some of the NECSA security personnel," Nkwashu said. A number of security workers at Pelindaba were suspended while NECSA officials investigated the incident. "NECSA has initiated disciplinary action against the staff members concerned," Nkwashu said (The Sowetan, Jan. 21).