ANC GOVERNMENT'S RECKLESS MARCH TO NUCLEAR PROCUREMENT

There are more questions than answers following the recent gazetted decision to move ahead with the nuclear procurement programme. It was reported by News 24 that former energy minister Martins signed off on the gazetted decision based on a cabinet decision dated as far back as 11th November, 2013. Subsequent to the cabinet's decision in November, 2013, erstwhile energy minister Joemat-Pettersson, over a two year period, represented that the cabinet had not approved the programme. Now there is confusion from government regarding cabinet's approval, and whether approval does, in fact, constitute the go-ahead for procurement, or in the alternative, a procedural step towards procurement. In either event, there is deep concern among fiscal experts that South Africa cannot afford R1 trillion for nuclear procurement. Former finance minister Nene apparently concurred, and was purportedly fired for stalling on the nuclear program. What changed to gazette the go- ahead of the programme? Objectively, nothing to remotely suggest that the country has the cash now, or in the foreseeable future. Nor is the country in a position to incur more debt because of its declining credit rating. What has also not changed is the overriding vested interests of those who will surreptitiously benefit from the programme. One can only hope that Gordhan still retains veto power over the nuclear procurement programme, and in a position to make an informed decision without political interference. That decision, under the present circumstances, should be self-evident.