Legislation:

South African Legislation on Non-Proliferation of WMD:
The Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, 1993 (Act No. 87 of 1993), hereafter referred to as The Act, as amended in 1995, 1996 and 2005 was promulgated “To provide for control over weapons of mass destruction; and the establishment of a Council to control and manage matters relating to the proliferation of such weapons in the Republic; to determine its objects and functions; to prescribe the manner in which it is to be managed and controlled; as well as to provide for matters connected therewith”.

Subject to Section 2 of the Act, the Minister may, by notice in the Government Gazette, determine the general policy to be followed.

In terms of Section 4 of the Act, the South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (Council) was established.

In terms of Section 6 of the Act, the Council shall; on behalf of the State, protect the interests, carry out the responsibilities and fulfill the obligations of the Republic with regard to non-proliferation, and advise the Minister with regard to any matter which it deems necessary and which falls within the purview of this Act.  The Section also states, amongst others, the other functions of the Council:

  • Overall Responsibility;
    Control and manage all activities relating to non-proliferation, and provide guidance, instructions and information in connection therewith;
  • International Co-operation and Obligations
    Supervise and implement matters arising from international conventions, treaties and agreements related to proliferation affairs entered into or ratified by the Government of the Republic;

    Obtain the co-operation of, exchange information with, and give assistance to, governments of other states, as well as foreign and international bodies having objects similar to those of the Council, and obtain membership of international bodies with such objects;

  • Co-operation with Government Departments and Institutions.
    Obtain or promote the co-operation of departments of State and other government institutions.
  • Co-operation with Commerce and Industry.
    Obtain or promote the co-operation of representatives of any branch of commerce and industry and other persons concerned;
  • Controlled Activities and Goods
    To identify and indicate to the Minister goods to be declared controlled goods and activities including means of transit or re-export, including those relating to goods in bond;

    Prohibit the manufacture, procurement in any manner, use, operation, stockpiling, maintenance, import, export, re-export or transport or disposal by any means of specified goods and activities.

    Determine that the manufacture, procurement in any manner, use, operation, stockpiling, maintenance, import, export, re-export, transit, transport or disposal by any means of specified goods may only take place under a permit issued by the Council

  • Registration and Permits
    Administer the registration of any person who is in control of any activity with regard to controlled goods or who has in his possession or custody or under his control controlled goods.
    Issue and administer permits.
  • Compliance and Enforcement
    Take the necessary steps to prevent the contravention of the provisions of this Act;

    Ensure that the conditions of permits and end-use requirements are met, and take the necessary regulatory steps in this regard;

    Collect all data and samples it may deem necessary from any person who is in control of any activity with regard to controlled goods or who has in his possession or custody or under his control controlled goods, and make declarations as contemplated in the Act

    Institute and co-ordinate investigations, carry out and coordinate inspections and verifications;

    Verify that controlled goods, which are subject to end-use conditions and are imported, are delivered, retained and used in accordance with such conditions and for the intended purpose;

    Cause codes of conduct relating to non-proliferation to be framed and issued, and assist any person or department of State in the preparation and framing of codes of conduct aimed at non-proliferation.

  • Information
    Give assistance to any person or authority so as to ensure that trade and commercial secrets are not compromised during the execution of activities related to non-proliferation;

    Provide for the publication of information concerning the activities of the Council.

  • General
    Perform any other function with a view to the efficient achievement of the objects of the Council.

Note:  There is also other South African Legislation that is related to the control of WMD and addresses issues like, i.e. the safe, secure and responsible handling of hazardous/dangerous goods, customs, border control, criminal prosecution, financing of illegal activities, etc.  Read more.

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ACT

The Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, 1993 (Act 87 of 1993)
[View Document] as amended, is supported by the following regulations and notices:

REGULATIONS & NOTICES

Missiles

  • The Missile Technology Control Regime Equipment and Technology are declared as controlled goods in terms of Section 13 of the Non-Proliferation Act in Notice No 311 dated 11 April 2007
  • For Industry's convenience, the changes in this new Notice are available in an explanatory note. Read more

Nuclear
  • The Nuclear Dual-use Goods and related items of the Nuclear Suppliers Group are declared as controlled goods in terms of Section 13 of the Non-Proliferation Act under Regulation R1790, dated 14 October 1994 replaced by Government Notice No. 430 dated 10 April 2002; [View Document]

  • A Notice on the control of nuclear related stable isotope separation technology and equipment that could be used in Uranium isotope separation has been promulgated on 11 April 2007, Notice No 310.
Chemicals
  • Government Notice No. R.705, dated 23 May 1997 - relates to controlled chemicals; and amended by Government Notice No. R.77 dated 29 January 2004; [View Document]
  • The various schedules of the Chemical Weapons Convention controlled in terms of Section 13 of the Non-Proliferation Act are declared under Notice 704, dated 23 May 1997 [View document], which was replaced by Notice 152, dated 29 January 2003 [View document];
  • Government Notice 754, dated 2 May 1997 - made the Chemical Weapons Convention part of the South African legislation;
  • Government Notice No. R. 1025, dated 9 October 2001 - enables the Council to declare goods, that are mentioned in the controlled lists but do not comply fully with the specifications mentioned, to be controlled. This regulation was replaced by Government Notice No. R.75 dated 29 January 2004; [View Document]

Biological

  • Presidential Proclamation No. R. 16 dated 26 February 2002 made the Biological Weapons Convention part of South African legislation [View Document]
  • Biological goods and technology are declared as controlled goods in terms of Section 13 of the Non-Proliferation Act under Government Notice No. 428 dated 10 April 2002, which was replaced by Government Notice No. 712 dated 8 June 2004; [View Document]

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