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Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Reporter
The Office of the President and Cabinet last week announced three new members of the Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe (RPAZ) board.

The three are Dr Anna Mary Nyakabau, a consultant radiation and medical oncologist and public health specialist in the Ministry of Health and Child Care; Mr Washington Zhakata, director climate change management in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement; and Dr Xolani Ndlovu, a specialist consultant and nuclear medicine physician in the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

Dr Nyakabau and Mr Zhakata become board chairperson and vice-chairperson respectively, replacing Dr Ntokozo Ndlovu, Professor Zvenyika Alfred Gomo and Mr Josphat Banhwa whose terms expired last month.

Dr Ndlovu had been the chairperson of RPAZ since 2012.

The three new members will join current members that include Mrs Lizzy Mazvita Chikerema, Engineer Benson Munyaradzi, Messers Aaron Chigona, Nelson Charumbira, Nathan Nkomo, Zvikomborero Manyangadze and Professor Rangarirai Masanganise.

Addressing the board following announcement of the new members, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Mr Justin Mupamhanga challenged the board to ensure that the authority played its part in protecting people and the environment in line with the country’s aspirations in Vision 2030 as espoused by President Mnangagwa.

The RPAZ is a regulatory body that was established through an Act of Parliament, the Radiation Protection Act (Chapter 15:15) of 2004.

Its mandate is to protect people and the environment against the harmful effects of ionising radiation.