Ministry To Amend Explosives Act

Faith Siako | Monday November 23, 2015 11:45

The ministry held a one-day stakeholders workshop on the amendment of the Explosives Act in Francistown last Thursday. This legislation was enacted in 1962 and was last reviewed in 1968; and it is for this reason that the ministry wants to amend it.

The director of mines, Gabotshwarege Tshekiso, said his department wanted to strengthen penalties for illegal possession of explosives, theft of explosives and falsification of records. The law must also prevent a person who has been convicted of offences related to explosives from possessing them.

Tshekiso said there was also need to regulate the export, import and transit of explosives, as well as their packaging, testing and analysis. Government also wants to regulate the provision of explosives, firecrackers and pyrotechnics as well as power devices. In the amended law, there will be a requirement to mark plastic explosives so that they could be detected. He said the amend law would have four new schedules of specifications of vehicles for conveying explosives and fees for permits, licenses and authorisations and regulations. Proposed amendments include minimum specifications for the fencing of an explosives magazine (where explosives are kept).

“Quantities of explosives currently exempted from requirements of regulation permit for all vehicles carrying explosives for road transport will now be required,” he said.

At present, the blasting licence does not expire; now it will expire after five years, with possible renewal. The restricted blasting licence will change to specify jobs such as demolition of buildings and structures, underwater blasting, furnace blasting and railway detonator signaling.

Tshekiso said there would be provision of experience for appearance of individuals in a blasting licence examination other than underground and fairy mines. People with criminal records related to blasting would be prohibited from obtaining blasting licences.

“The new regulations will also cover the provisions for a person to have valid first aid certificate and certificate of fitness at the time of obtaining and renewal of their blasting licence,” he added. Nchidzi Mmolawa, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, said in an interview that the existing law had loopholes, especially in penalties, use and safety of explosives.

Mmolawa said the use of explosives was dangerous and could cause death. Therefore, he added, people must be cautious when handling or using explosives. He also said the Botswana Police Service had expressed worry that explosives were used in crime.