The South African government has suffered a setback in expanding its nuclear power station after a Western Cape High court ruled that a pre-agreement with Russia to build new nuclear plants was unlawful.
The controversial deal is therefore to be set aside per the court ruling on Wednesday, a major setback to the South Africa’s nuclear power plant project.
BREAKING: Western Cape High Court rules that #NuclearDeal is unlawful & unconstitutional. ANC is just a gov of Constitutional Delinquents ?
— IG: @MbuyiseniNdlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) April 26, 2017
The court case was initiated in 2015, with Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (Saifcei) challenging the plan by the South African government to buy 9.6 megawatts of nuclear power.
The deal was not put to a debate in the South African parliament, something the group consider unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Africa’s only nuclear power station is in South Africa. Power utility Eskom was to procure the additional megawatts in order to diversify its energy mix.
Local media Eyewitness News reported that the controversial nuclear deal was seen as a reason behind President Jacob Zuma’s recent Cabinet reshuffle.
The procedure and methods for awarding the nuclear deal are believed to be means of hiding corrupt acts within the South African government.
There have been reactions to the ruling from South Africans on Social media.
Sanity prevailed. We’re trusting the courts to stop Zuma and Co #NuclearDeal
— Lindiwe Skosana (@lyndz_20) April 26, 2017
No #NuclearDeal!! Now we can do: renewables #feesmustfall loans to small black businesses #healthcare #education.
Actual NB things.
— Rob AF. (@RobForbesDJ) April 26, 2017
Zuma preparing himself for the phonecall he never wanted to make.#NuclearDeal pic.twitter.com/hBjB67J4Bb
— Jacques Maree (@JacquesMaree73) April 26, 2017
We are protected by the courts while the government is ready to sell the country to the highest bidder#NuclearDeal
— Kholeka Mabaso (@MabasoKholeka) April 26, 2017
When you hear court has ruled against #NuclearDeal & you’ve already accepted bribe from Vladimir Putin. pic.twitter.com/uv52DVxLmd
— Hloni Nyetanyane (@HloniNyetanyane) April 26, 2017
Source: Africafeeds.com
