DA ‘keeps eye’ on nuke deal

The Democratic Alliance will keep a close watch on any developments on the proposed R1-trillion nuclear build deal and will not hesitate to go to court to interdict it if the process is tainted.

“The allegations in the media [on Sunday] regarding the high-level Russian delegation who met with President Jacob Zuma shortly before the second Cabinet reshuffle in seven months, is startling,” DA spokesperson Gordon Mackay said.

The reshuffle saw David Mahlobo, pictured, appointed as energy minister, ostensibly to push through the nuclear deal in favour of the Russians, he said.

The previous minister of energy, Mmamoloko Kubayi, committed to abide by a high court ruling in April, which declared that all requests for information and potential requests for proposals pursuant to the outdated integrated resource plan and section 34 ministerial determinations were set aside with immediate effect.

Mahlobo was reminded that he, too, was bound by the judgment and any deviation would be illegal, Mackay said.

For the nuclear deal to be approved, five key pieces of legislation/regulations would have to be updated and amended, which would require parliament’s participation.

In addition, the court ruling made clear the need for a substantial public participation process.

“We cannot afford, nor do we need, the nuclear deal,” Mackay said.

“In any event, it is doubtful that we need nuclear in the energy mix, bearing in mind that by the time reactors come online, green energy will be able to fill the gap sufficiently.” – ANA