For the past two years Botswana has experienced a few radioactive incidents. Speaking at an event held to discuss Botswana's nuclear security support plan Radiation Protection Inspectorate director Stephen Williams said in 2008 his department attended to two incidents in Palapye and Mmamabula Coal Mine.
He said at the mine around December 2008, a radioactive source had contaminated the soil surface on the site when a company engaged in well-logging drilled through the source. After the soil samples were contained in drums, some people stole the drums.
It was through the help of the police that all the drums were recovered and the thieves identified.
"However, we are yet to recover the last drum. The radioactive material could be hazardous especially if one drinks water from that drum.
It would damage one's internal organs and death would occur quickly. The recovered drums have since been sealed and labeled and are under 24 hour protective custody at Mmamabula," he said.
