Jeff Radebe questions Necsa board

Independent reports are being received by EE Publishers that Energy Minister Jeff Radebe has requested the board of Necsa (South African Nuclear Energy Corporation) to provide reasons why it should not be removed and that issues relating to the Necsa chairman are central to this matter.

It appears the issues raised by Radebe concern matters of governance, engagements with Russian nuclear interests and possible unauthorised research reactor deals with Russia’s Rusatom, overseas trips by the Necsa chair, unauthorised media releases, articles and/or communications, and apparent conflicts of interest.

Formal questions have been put to Minister Radebe, to Necsa chair Dr Kelvin Kemm and to Necsa chief executive Phumzile Tshelane, including a request for confirmation as to whether the reports are correct, and/or whether there is any substance to these reports.

Necsa replied: “The Necsa board and the minister of energy are engaged in discussions relating to the proper governance of the corporation. These engagements constitute the normal board and shareholder engagements and cannot be, at this stage, carried out in newspapers.

“Necsa expects that the outcomes may be communicated by the minister and/ or the Necsa board at some stage.”

Necsa further indicated that as the board is appointed by the minister of energy, it would be more appropriate to approach the minister for further information.

No reply had been received from Radebe at time of going to press, although confirmation was received that he had got the questions.

Necsa is a state-owned enterprise (SOE) undertaking research and development as well as commercial activities in the field of nuclear energy and radiation sciences, plus the production of medical nuclear radioisotopes and associated services.

Over the last few years, Necsa has been embroiled in a number of debilitating operational, financial and governance challenges.