JOHANNESBURG – Minister of Energy David Mahlobo on Tuesday failed to impress members of parliament during his first appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Energy, with concerns about nuclear power and his relationship with Russia taking centre stage.
Members of Parliament were not sympathetic as they fired tough questions which the minister failed to respond amicably.
The minister startled in his responses for several times and some of his answers contradicted many things which he had said before.
One of the questions which he failed to respond amicably came from DA MP Gavin Davis, “Minister, can you tell us did you met with the Russian delegation on the day before the cabinet reshuffle? If you did can you tell us what was discussed at the meeting and what was the outcome of that meeting?”
To some what emotional Mahlobo tried to respond the question and justify his love for Russia, Zambia and Zimbabwe amongst other frontline states.
“I love the people of Russia, I love people of Zambia, I love people of Zimbabwe, all the frontlines states. I had to leave this country as a youngster when my parents’ home was razed to the ground… why today when we are free those people that gave us shelter should be taboo?”
Many tough questions were largely coming from the DA faction who believes that South Africa do not need nuclear power to solve its power problems, adding that nuclear power is expensive.
Political analysts believe the questions fired by DA members were not objective, but rather to discredit Mahlobo and the whole ANC leadership system.
Mahlobo made it clear that there is no nuclear deal which has been set as yet, adding that a revised Integrated Resource Plan will be presented to cabinet before the next ANC Policy conference.
“It is not my narrative or the narrative of this government. I don’t know where people are getting it that there is a deal not on the table. We are not saying we are procuring; we’re not saying we are not procuring.”
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