SIPRI Policy Brief: South Ossetia and Abkhazia
South Africa
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Country Profile 12: South Africa
FirstWatch International
Introduction
South Africa is the only nation to voluntarily abandon its nuclear weapons programme.(1) This programme included 8 devices: 6 operational weapons, 1 weapon under construction, and 1 training device without highly enriched uranium (HEU).(2) Although the government shut down the weapons programme and dismantled all weapons dedicated facilities, South Africa’s nuclear infrastructure remained intact (albeit possibly not at its full capacity). Now it appears that the government is considering a revival of its civilian nuclear programme, and it has committed itself to the future growth of nuclear energy in South Africa. In September 2006, the South African Minerals and Energy Minister Buvelwa Sonjica stated the nation’s intention to develop uranium enrichment for its long-term energy needs. She announced that the government was commencing plans to develop up to six new nuclear reactors.(3) Sonjica added that by 2030, South Africa should add 5,000 MW of nuclear energy.(4)
The South African government has made clear that its nuclear programme will focus on peaceful purposes and its membership and active role in numerous nonproliferation regimes signals this peaceful intent. South Africa’s upcoming chairmanship of the NSG also confirms its nonproliferation credentials. South Africa is strengthening the enforcement of its anti-proliferation laws, and urging more international cooperation in enforcement efforts.(5) Under President Mbeki, the country has taken an active role in promoting peaceful nuclear energy developments for all nations.(6) In August 2005, African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee member and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad emphasized ‘the basic and inalienable right of all NPT states’ to develop research and production capabilities for the peaceful use of nuclear energy without discrimination.(7) Pahad and the South African Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs have both commented on occasions that the problems related to Iran’s nuclear programme are primarily due to the unequal implementation of the delicately balanced rights and obligations contained in the NPT itself.(8) At the end of an October 2006 IAEA Nuclear Safeguards Symposium, Abdul Minty concluded that ‘What we should strive for is not to place further limitations on the peaceful application of the atom by those who have already committed themselves not to pursue the nuclear weapons option.’(9)
With its existing and anticipated future nuclear infrastructure South Africa could be vulnerable to exploitation by nuclear black marketeers. South Africa has the fourth largest uranium reserves in the world and significant technological expertise.(10) Scientists who previously worked on South Africa’s nuclear weapons programmes pose a potential risk to nonproliferation.(11) When South Africa was under strict sanctions, during the years of South Africa’s nuclear weaponry program, and apartheid government, black market activity surged and South African procurement officers became expert in circumventing the export controls of other suppliers.(12)
Taken together, these characteristics make South Africa a country of ongoing nuclear concern.
Sources
(1) ‘Text of Address by RSA’s IAEA Chief Abdul Minty at Nuclear Safeguards Symposium,’ Pretoria Department of Foreign Affairs website, October 17, 2006.(2) Lieutenant Colonel Roy E. Horton III, ‘Out of (South) Africa: Pretoria’s Nuclear Weapons Experience,’ USAF Institute for National Security Studies, August 1999.
(3) ‘RSA Energy Minister Says Uranium Enrichment for “Peaceful Purposes,”’ Johannesburg Radio 702, August 29, 2006.
(4) David Masango, ‘South Africa Uranium Enrichment for Civilian Purposes,’ BuaNews, September 7, 2006.
(5) ‘Text of Address by RSA’s IAEA Chief Abdul Minty at Nuclear Safeguards Symposium,’ Pretoria Department of Foreign Affairs website, October 17, 2006.
(6) Patrick Laurence, ‘South Africa’s Unique Nuclear History Gives it Vital Role as Mediator in Iran Stand-off,’ Johannesburg The Sunday Independent, September 17, 2006.
(7) ‘Nuclear Energy and Iran-Balancing Nuclear Rights and Obligations,’ Johannesburg ANC Today, August 25, 2006.
(8) ‘Nuclear Energy and Iran-Balancing Nuclear Rights and Obligations,’ Johannesburg ANC Today, August 25, 2006.
(9) ‘Text of Address by RSA’s IAEA Chief Abdul Minty at Nuclear Safeguards Symposium,’ Pretoria Department of Foreign Affairs website, October 17, 2006.
(10) Carli Lourens, ‘South Africa Flirts with Plan to Enrich Own Uranium,’ Johannesburg The Weekender, July 22, 2006.
(11) Chaim Braun, ‘Proliferation Rings: New Challenges to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime,’ International Security, Vol. 29, No. 2, Fall 2004.
(12) Mark Schapiro, ‘The Middleman,’ Frontline/World, March 30, 2005.
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