Outrage over Koeberg drone

AS THE hawks have confirmed taking over the investigation into a drone that crashed at the Koeberg power station late last week, nuclear experts have reacted with outrage to what they describe as Eskom’s “lax security”.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority said the crash was being handled by its legal and aviation compliance division. While the drone has been returned to its owner, the incident has led to the suspension of Koeberg’s safety officer as a precautionary measure.

Nuclear and aviation experts have raised questions about how the drone ended up at the national key point.

Hawks provincial spokesman Lloyd Ramovha said the case was in relation to the violation of the National Key Points Act and the Civil Aviation Act. He said no arrests had been made yet as the investigation was continuing.

According to the Civil Aviation Regulations and limitations, which kicked in last year, an aircraft should not be flown adjacent to or above a nuclear power plant, prison, police station, crime scene, court of law, national key point or strategic installation. Non-compliance carries a 10-year prison sentence, a fine of R50 000 or both.

Nuclear expert and former UWC Research Dean, Renfrew Christie says any unauthorised breach of a nuclear power station perimeter should be be treated as “deadly serious” and an emergency.

“It is plain that this breach by a drone was mishandled by Eskom. The offending drone should not have been returned to its owner, and certainly not before a complete investigation had taken place. I believe nuclear breaches should always be prosecuted in the courts.”

Renfrew said it was up to a judge, not an Eskom official, to decide whether there were mitigating factors. “This is because what may seem an accidental intrusion by a ‘recreational’ drone flyer could well be undercover reconnoitring for an attack.”

Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Kabelo Ledwaba said: “Given the low cost and easy availability of RPAS (remotely piloted aircraft systems), errant individuals may utilise these aircraft in an unsafe manner.” siyavuya.mzantsi@inl.co.za

carlo.petersen@inl.co.za