The Premier, Dr. Zamani Saul, joined the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, and the Deputy Minister, Ms. Samantha Graeme-Marè, at the official handover of operating responsibility to the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI).

NRWDI has taken over the responsibility to operate and manage the Vaalputs Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility from the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA). This follows the granting of the Nuclear Installation Licence (NIL-43) by the National Nuclear Regulator, marking a major milestone in the safe domestic management of radioactive waste.

Located in the Northern Cape, the Vaalputs Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility is the only facility of its kind on the continent. It is responsible for disposing of low- to medium-level radioactive waste, with Eskom being one of its key clients.