Friday, 13 July 2012

Break-in at nuke facility 'covered up'

Cape Town - A break-in at the Pelindaba nuclear facility has again raised questions about safety at the country’s biggest nuclear research centre.

Die Burger reported that the incident happened on 28 April when an attempt was made to break into the facility - which stores about 600kg (enough to build about 20 nuclear bombs) of weapons-grade uranium.

National Nuclear Regulator spokesperson Gino Moonsamy described the incident as “very small” and said no one had come even close to the uranium.

He said security measures at Pelindaba consisted of several layers that were regularly upgraded.

“There is no reason for the public to be worried.”

But DA MP Lance Greyling said it was the third time in seven years that someone had tried to break into Pelindaba.

“What is more worrying is that the latest incident was kept quiet for so long.”

Greyling said he would ask for an investigation to be held.

No comments:

Post a Comment