Court sets aside controversial nuclear deal

By some estimates, the deal could cost the country R1 trillion. 

Earthlife Africa (ELA) and the Southern African Faith Communities' Environment Institute (SAFCEI) launched their papers against the deal in October 2015. 

Makoma Lekalakala from ELA says government should have consulted the public. 

"The ruling says neither the government nor cabinet can take decisions on behalf of South Africans without consulting them. They say the government did not do what it was supposed to do, by not giving the public a chance to be part of the decision making process." 

"The ruling says neither the government nor cabinet can take decisions on behalf of South Africans without consulting them. They say the government did not do what it was supposed to do, by not giving the public a chance to be part of the decision making process." 

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SAFCEI first raised concern about the deal in 2014 and submitted several Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) requests to the Department of Energy but to no avail. 

Lekalaka says should government appeal this ruling, they are ready to challenge the appeal. 

"We are very excited about this ruling, especially because it comes on the eve of Freedom Day. This tells us it's important for us to protect the values that are contained in the Constitution. We were not supposed to come to court, but this was our last resort and should the state appeal we are ready." 

Eskom Spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe says they note the decision and will study the judgement before making further comment.