SA nuclear deal: No improvement for local communities - expert
A Russian environmentalist has warned of dire consequences should South Africa’s nuclear energy plans become a reality.
Vladimir Slivyak has described the move as unsafe, expensive and very risky. Sliv-yak, who’s with environmental group Eco-defense, has been meeting with activists in Durban who’re calling for a global move towards cleaner, safer and renewable energy.
Our country’s plans to build several new nuclear reactors were blocked this year when a high court declared a nuclear co-operation pact with Russia unlawful.
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Slivyak says there are no reactors in the world that are 100% safe.
"They will bring people from other countries to build and operate reactors. It's going to be jobs for them - not for local people in South African communities. So, there will be no improvements for real communities in South Africa.
"But South Africa, as a country, will spend all of its money that it could spend on healthcare, education and on other important things," he says.