Nuke case judgment pending

THE Western Cape High Court has reserved judgment in a case involving the R1 trillion nuclear deal between South Africa and Russia.

Civil society organisations are challenging an agreement between the South African and Russian governments on nuclear power generation, a deal said to cost R1 trillion, which they say would have a negative effect on the economy.

Earth Life Johannesburg and the Southern African Faith Communities Environ- ment Institute want the court to declare unconstitutional and unlawful, as well as to set aside decisions and agreements signed by Minister of Energy Tina Joemat- Pettersson on behalf of SA in 2014.

The applicants said there had been no public consultation on the agreement to use nuclear power. They said the issue was not debated in Parliament and the country could not afford the R1-trillion budget.

They pointed out that once the current power stations under construction – Medupi, Kusile and Ingula – were com- pleted the country would not be in need of more electricity generation.

President Jacob Zuma was listed as the second respondent for authorising the minister’s signature.

Supporters of the applicants marched from Parliament to the high court while proceedings were under way this week.

The applicants argued it had been unlawful to have tabled before Parliament the Russian Federation on Strategic Partnership and Cooperation in the fields of Nuclear Power and Industry; the agreement for cooperation between South Africa and the US concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy; as well as the agreement between South Africa and South Korea.

noloyiso.mtembu@inl.co.za

Legal teams enter the Western Cape Town High Court this week.