(Last Updated on December 9, 2020 by GERALD NCUBE)
HARARE – The Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe (RPAZ) has introduced mandatory radiation contamination inspection for all vehicles imported from countries that have experienced nuclear incidents.
Most Zimbabweans import vehicles from Japan which experienced a nuclear accident in 2011 at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
“Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe wishes to inform you that it is now a requirement in terms of Statutory Instrument 281 of 2020 titled Radiation Protection (Safety and Security of Radiation Sources) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No. 5) that all vehicles being imported into Zimbabwe from countries that experienced Nuclear Incidents (Japan) be inspected for radiation contamination with immediate effect,” said RPAZ in a statement.
Light motor vehicles and minibusses will be required to pay US$10 inspection fee per vehicle while buses, heavy vehicles, haulage trucks and trailers have their inspection fee pegged at US$20 per vehicle.
Vehicles in the first category if found to be contaminated will have to undergo de-contamination at a fee of US$50 and those in the latter category will be required to pay US$100 for the same process.
Government, through the Ministry of Finance’ proposed 2021 National Budget announced that it plans on banning the importation of second hand vehicles older than ten years.