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SA’s planned nuclear deal is a ‘Trojan Horse’

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Greenpeace representatives from Thyspunt Alliance, No Nukes PE and Milbo Environmental Organisation handed over a memorandum to the Regional Director of the Department of Energy in Port Elizabeth, along with a petition from over a thousand community members demanding transparency around the decision to invest in new nuclear reactors.

Greenpeace NoNukes
No Nukes protest in Port Elizabeth

“The courageous steps taken by Greenpeace activists today, combined with the handing over of a memorandum to the Regional Director of the Department of Energy in Port Elizabeth by those who will be impacted by the construction of new nuclear reactors, is a clear indication that South Africans are losing patience with the increasingly murky waters around nuclear investments. It would be a mistake for the Department of Energy to underestimate the wide-ranging concerns and growing public opposition to nuclear” said Melita Steele, Senior Climate and Energy Campaign Manager for Greenpeace Africa.

In Pretoria Greenpeace activists left the scene of protest at the Department of Energy, leaving the gigantic Trojan horse chained to the Department’s front gate to remind the Minister and the Department of the trap they are leading South Africans into with the planned nuclear deal. The activists earlier confronted the Minister of Energy by locking themselves down to a four metre high wooden nuclear ‘Trojan Horse’ outside the Pretoria headquarters of the Department of Energy. The activists were protesting against the Department’s lack of transparency around proposed investments in nuclear, and to remind the Minister that the nuclear plan is nothing less than a trap – a Trojan horse with a price tag South Africans cannot afford.

The activists remained outside the entrance of the Department of Energy headquarters from 8am and at 4pm when they peacefully unchained themselves.

“We are peacefully leaving the Department of Energy headquarters for today, but we are leaving this gigantic Trojan horse behind as a clear reminder to the Minister of Energy that nuclear is a trap and will bankrupt this country. We will continue to increase the pressure for key nuclear information to be released into the public domain, public hearings to be held and the country’s electricity plan to be updated” stated Steele.

“We call on the South African government to reject the Trojan horse that nuclear suppliers are trying to deliver” ended Steele.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.