Four nabbed with 'radiation device'

[PeterCH]

Zondi said the suspects would appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on charges of theft, possession of a radioactive device and violating the Health Department's prohibition of handling this material in public. - Own Correspondent

Selling nuclear material to terrorists who could use it to kill thousands of people is just merely 'theft', 'possession of a radioactive device' and a health code violation. Wow - that's probably a 6 month sentence with suspension.

 

[Lycanthrope]

Selling nuclear material to terrorists who could use it to kill thousands of people is just merely 'theft', 'possession of a radioactive device' and a health code violation. Wow - that's probably a 6 month sentence with suspension.

What about reckless endangerment? It doesn't get more reckless than waltzing around with R45-million worth of radioactive isotopes. I mean really, what kind of kind, friendly, philanthropist would buy radioactive isotopes?

Hell, I'd just love to meet these four guys and find out just how they thought this was a good idea

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

CCTV footage shows how undercover members of the Hawks' organised crime unit stormed through a Sasol garage, opening fire on the suspects with semi-automatic weapons, sending terrified customers, motorists and petrol attendants fleeing.

geezuz, don't worry about any of the public, just maar open fire with semi's :wtf:

 

[Sting]

geezuz, don't worry about any of the public, just maar open fire with semi's :wtf:

Collateral damage? Surely they could have done this without endangering innocent lives?

 

[ponder]

Yes, what can you do with the device?

Well depending on the type of device it's use could vary widely.
Could be used for testing & inspection of solid products where you want to see on the inside. Testing for fractures not visible by eye on things like oil, gas etc containers & pipelines.
Can also be used to measure material thickness.
Used for geological survey of the earth structures.
Used for irradiating medical equipment like scalpels etc to ensure they are hygenic.
Used for irradiating food etc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionizing_radiation#Uses

 

[killadoob]

Well depending on the type of device it's use could vary widely.
Could be used for testing & inspection of solid products where you want to see on the inside. Testing for fractures not visible by eye on things like oil, gas etc containers & pipelines.
Can also be used to measure material thickness.
Used for geological survey of the earth structures.
Used for irradiating medical equipment like scalpels etc to ensure they are hygenic.
Used for irradiating food etc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionizing_radiation#Uses

All that for 45 million at your nearest petrol station.

 

[Frankie]

Well depending on the type of device it's use could vary widely.
Could be used for testing & inspection of solid products where you want to see on the inside. Testing for fractures not visible by eye on things like oil, gas etc containers & pipelines.
Can also be used to measure material thickness.
Used for geological survey of the earth structures.
Used for irradiating medical equipment like scalpels etc to ensure they are hygenic.
Used for irradiating food etc

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionizing_radiation#Uses

Nothing that would have drawn Interpol's interest ?

 

[R13...]

Surely there's no weapons grade nuclear material in this country?

 

[Alchemist]

Surely there's no weapons grade nuclear material in this country?

You mean those 4 nuclear weapons that South Africa dismantled? Or supposedly. However, stories are there were/are more than 4. Bring on the conspiracies!!!

 

[blaaislaai]

A petrol station would have made a bigger explosion, if that was their idea

 

[Sting]

Surely there's no weapons grade nuclear material in this country?

It does not have to be weapons grade to make a "dirty" bomb.

 

[PeterCH]

Surely there's no weapons grade nuclear material in this country?

The 10 bombs that SA initially had were dismantled and the nuclear material is stored in Pelindaba. It's easy to make a bomb if you have enriched uranium. Not a dirty bomb but a real bomb.

 

[MyWorld]

I think its crap! “If you don’t understand what it is (most things), confiscate it.” If it was truly illegal, would they be trying to sell it at a petrol station? Without a ready buyer? There is more to this story and not to police advantage.

Moral: those with hi-tech wristwatches might be arrested for “dangerous devices” (translated – I don’t understand what it is, therefore it must be dangerous).

You wear a R45 million hi-tech wristwatch??????

 

[ponder]

All that for 45 million at your nearest petrol station.

Well according to the news tonight the level of radiation is very low and nothing to lose sleep over.

 

[PeterCH]

Well according to the news tonight the level of radiation is very low and nothing to lose sleep over.

Enriched uranium also has a low level of radiation. It can be handled by gloved or even bare hands.