Nuclear plans back on

GENERAL Motors SA withdrew local manufacturing facilities because South Africa could not provide the expected returns of other global investment opportunities.

As a result, production and sales of all Chevrolet models will cease, and Isuzu will take over the firm’s operations in Port Elizabeth, where 2 000 South Africans are employed. MINISTER of Energy Mmamoloko Kubayi has confirmed the government will start renegotiating agreements on nuclear co-operation with five vendor nations from next month. This includes China, Russia, France, US and South Korea.

This comes after the government decided not to appeal against a high court ruling that effectively halted procurement of new nuclear plants, which the government said was needed to add 9 600MW to the electricity grid.

During the budget vote in the National Assembly, Kubayi said the government would restart the process in June.

GM’S exit was based on investment potential

It was predicted that its withdrawal was likely to threaten the livelihoods of the workers.

Opposition parties and civil organisations claimed that the withdrawal was a result of the recent cabinet reshuffle.

However, GM maintained it was not influenced by the local economic or political environment.