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Cape Town - There is nothing untoward about South Africa's nuclear energy programme, said the presidency in a statement on Friday.
Spokesperson Mac Maharaj rejected reports that President Jacob Zuma negotiated or will negotiate and conclude nuclear power agreements alone.
"The president works with Cabinet on the matter."
He said that Zuma announced in his June State of the Nation Address that the government would prioritise energy security. This entailed pursuing an energy mix of coal, nuclear, shale gas and renewable energy.
The Cabinet Energy Security Sub-Committee, which comprises of nine ministries, was established to oversee the development of the energy mix. Maharaj said this was announced by Zuma in the Presidency Budget Vote speech in July.
The new sub-committe, which Zuma assumed leadership of, replaced the National Nuclear Energy Executive Coordinating Committee (NNEECC) that was chaired by former deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe.
"Some media houses have complained about the Cabinet decision to change the leadership of the committee," said Maharaj.
"It must be pointed out as well that the President can chair any committee of Cabinet and may also delegate the chairing of committees should he so decide."
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City Press reported that Motlanthe asked to be removed from the committee, according to his former associates.
Officials involved with the committee told City Press that before Motlanthe left, they had no idea who was in charge.
They would be invited to two separate meetings - one chaired by Motlanthe and another chaired by Zuma.
The newspaper reported that insiders claimed Zuma pushed aside those he saw as obstacles to secure the nuclear partnership agreement with Russia.
Maharaj noted that the department of energy explained the nature of the co-operation agreement and that deals will be concluded with other states also.
"All is on course and there is nothing untoward with regards to the country's nuclear energy programme," he said.
- Fin24 with City Press
