Media statement on the urgent court application by Earthlife Africa (Johannesburg) and Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute
The Department notes the media reports following the urgent Court application brought by EARTHLIFE AFRICA (Johannesburg) and Southern African Faith Communities Environment Institute seeking a declaratory and auxiliary relief pursuant to the judgement granted in the main application granted by the Western Cape High Court on 26 April 2017. The narrative seems to purport that the Department intended to proceed with the nuclear expansion programme unlawfully.
The Department would like to categorically state that the applicants had no legal basis for launching the urgent application.
When Department lodged the explanatory affidavit, the applicants realised that their case which was based on media reports had no basis. The matter was set down for a hearing today and was postponed sine die at the behest of the applicants.
The application to Court was speculative at best and as the Minister has never contravened any of the aspects of the Court Judgement delivered by the Western Cape High Court on 26 April 2017.
The media statements which, seems to suggest that the Department would have proceeded with the nuclear expansion programme in an unlawful manner are malicious and aimed at impugning the integrity of government. They are aimed at creating panic, misinformation, and misrepresentation of facts and are intended to derail government from reinvigorating the economy.
It is very unfortunate that at the time when all hands should be on the deck to bolster the economy, others are creating side-tracking events. The time and effort spent as well as financial resources utilised responding to this urgent Court application could have been utilised to deliver energy services to the South African citizens.
The government and Minister in particular, reiterate the position of the constitution and the rule of law.
For more details contact:
Nomvula Khalo
Cell: 082 468 2834
E-mail: nomvula.khalo@energy.gov.za
E-mail: mediadesk@energy.gov.za
