By Rorisang David Mahlo
“The fact is Explosives are
dangerous, irrespective of whether one is a blaster or a regulator or just an
ordinary citizen. We need to appreciate this fact, and act accordingly.” This
was said by PS Mining-Mr. Soaile Mochaba while addressing the local Explosives
Practitioners on Friday the 20th October 2017 on a Stakeholder
closed Meeting held at Victoria Conference Hall throughout the day.
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| PS Mining Mr. Mochaba & Eng. Mr. Tjatja |
Most importantly, “If explosives
are not handled with the maximum required care, we are exposing our citizens to
enormous safety and security risks which we might not be able to put under
control,” Said Mr. Mochaba. In addition to that he went on to remind
stakeholders that, explosives can potentially be misused as “weapons,” and we
definitely don’t want to let things graduate to that stage,” Mr Mochaba
cautioned them.
The objective of this closed
forum was to invite and include the opinions of the active sector role players
in the process of interrogating the current regime in the areas of importation,
transportation, storage, handling and use of explosives. Also, it was to gather
opinions on the much needed review and strengthening of the outdated regime
governing the explosive sector (Explosives Proclamation Act 41 of 1958) that
has remained unchanged for such a long time.
In his opening remarks, the
Principal Secretary (PS) Mining Mr. Mochaba, firstly appreciated a positive
turnout demonstrated by the sector players and the stakeholders to his first
call of duty meeting. “…and I hope this confirms the closeness and warmth of
our working relationship from here onwards, because when we stand as united, we
can overcome most sector challenges as a team,” says Mochaba.
Secondly Mr. Mochaba acknowledged
the increasingly growing importance of augmenting explosives regime for proper
administration, and execution by stakeholder for socio economic benefit of the
country. Also taking cognisance of the fact that the auspices of explosives
sector has been handed over to the
private sector 10 years ago though there were certain areas that were left
blurry and unclarified.
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| ACP. Ramachaea - (CIS) |
Despite all the blurry
uncertainties regarding the explosives Mr. Mochaba stated that the commercial explosives
will always remain the integral and mostly demanded service in the mining and
construction sectors. Adding that “If not well controlled they could be a
threat to the innocent lives of people as they could be used as weapons,”
emphasised Mochaba.
As the proceedings commences and
on behalf of the office of Commissioner of Mines Mr. Pokane Koatla presented a
currently existing overview of laws used in the Mining sector including the
undeniable dilapidated Explosives Act 41 of 1958. Mr. Koatla strongly appealed
before the stakeholders to honestly revive the said Act in order to address the
current sector challenges.
He explained that Explosive
Regulations 1958 and Proclamation 41 of 1958 are collaborately administered by Commissioners
of Mines and Police with the powers bestowed on both of them. Further
highlighted that this act provides for the regulation of the manufacture,
storage, sale, transport, importation, possession and use of explosive.
Adding that, “this law also
caters for Blasting License and permits applications and procedures, penalties,
duties of blasting license holders, importation and exportation procedures, powers
of inspector of explosives,” said Koatla.
The reasons propelling for the
review of this Act as according to Mr. Koatla are sincerely manier than the
simple identified deficiencies in the Law such as the 25c application fee for
acquisition for Explosives License to single out just one.
Representing the Commissioner of Police,
the Assistant Commissioner (ACP) heading the Criminal Investigation Section
(CIS) - Mr. Raphoka Ramachaea also cautioned the forum that the Explosives
Proclamation Act of 1958 has proved not to be a sufficient tool to address the
current sectoral demands as things seem to be rapidly changing.
According to the input from ACP
Ramachaea, there are currently a lot of misconduct done by most Explosives
Practitioners which some are highly detrimental to the lives of respective
innocent facilitators in the subsector. For instance delay to apply for import
permit before placing a purchase order or a common stylish behaviour of storing
explosives at the unlicensed places not meant for such.
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| Blasting Professionals |
“Our observation with regard to
the prevalent Explosives practitioners` misconduct is highly perpetuated by the
imbalance between the existing statistics data versus the existing true number
of the hands on Explosives Practitioners,” says ACP Ramachaea.
On behalf of Lesotho Defence
Force, Captain Mosala Lehlohla conscientised the forum on the latest and most
dangerous bombings that took place in some African countries like Nigeria,
sampling out the case of Bokoharam and other countries, that “ we must be
seriously worried about the looming explosives most particularly at this time
of instability in the country.”
“Honestly, those who live in
Maseru district in areas like Moshoeshoe II, Khubetsoana and Ha `Nelese amongst
us here, will attest to this with a trembling fear. Worst of all, these negatively impact on our
national security and ruin our international reputation,” commented Captain
Lehloka.
In its current state, the
Explosives Proclamation of 1958 and its Regulations does not properly address
the transportation, storage and usage nor the technological advances in
explosives development.
