Lloyd Mbiba
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has issued out a directive ordering authority to test radiation waves from imported ex Japanese cars, declaring that cars with high radiation should pay fines in US dollars.
Zimbabweans, due to the poor economy, have reported to purchasing Far East junk vehicles.
But, these vehicles, are said to emit excessive exhaust gases and radiation which worsen climate change, and negatively affect rainfall patterns, thus contributing to droughts.
In general, radiation is energy that comes from a source and travels through space at the speed of light. This energy has an electric and magnetic field associated with it, and has a wave-like properties. One can call radiation electromagnetic waves.
“Declaration of inspection for radiation contamination of vehicles 35A. (1) Further to the section 16 ( “Prohibition of importation or exportation except through appointed ports or by defined routes”) of the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02] any person wishing to import a vehicle into Zimbabwe directly or indirectly from a country that experienced a level 2 and above incident on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale specified in the Fifth Schedule must make a declaration in Form RP1 (“ declaration of inspection for radiation contamination of vehicles”) at the port of entry, stating where the vehicle is being imported from, and subject it to radiation contamination inspection by the authority upon payment of the prescribed fee,” reads a Government gazette.
“The Authority shall, after receiving the declaration referred to in subsection (1) — (a) satisfy itself that Form RP1 (“declaration of inspection for radiation contamination of vehicles”) has been properly completed; (b) immediately conduct the necessary test for radiation contamination on the vehicle. (3) If a vehicle is found to have a surface dose rate measurement of more than 1.0µSv per hour it shall be deemed to be contaminated, and the Authority shall proceed to de-contaminate the vehicle upon payment of the prescribed fee by the person responsible for importing the vehicle.”
In 2013, a nuclear disaster occurred in Fukushima, Japan and experts claim that radioactive and radionuclides substances were released, and could have contaminated vehicles in that nation.
Radioactive releases have been detected across Europe with potential for fall out radionuclides contaminating vehicles and other imports, some of which may have found their way into the country.
Light motor vehicles and minibuses will fork out US10 for radiation tests, while buses, heavy vehicles, haulage trucks and trailers will pay US$20.
To be decontaminated, light motor vehicle and minibuses will pay US$50 and heavy vehicles, haulage trucks and trailers US100.
