Fuzile: Zuma’s nuclear deal failed to take budget into account

Fuzile previously appeared before the commission in November. 

During his second appearance at the commission Fuzile admitted that there was concern at Treasury at the impact the nuclear deal would have had on the country’s budget.

The proposed deal with Russia would have seen South Africa  purchase over 9000 megawatts of extra nuclear power from Russia at an estimated cost of R1 trillion.

In 2018, the Western Cape High Court set aside the government call for proposals with various countries, declaring it unlawful and unconstitutional in an application was brought by Earthlife Africa.

Former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene told the Zondo commission last year that believes his opposition to the nuclear deal was one of the reasons why he was axed by the former president. 

Fuzile told the commission on Monday that he felt the deal, which would have been one biggest procurements in the country’s history, was being rushed through without considering the impact it would have had on the budget.  

"It was not only Treasury that was insisting on following good process and due process, but the Department of Energy had also found a way to get to the cabinet with the recommendation to approve that it proceed to procure the nuclear deal.

"But in the cabinet some members did say: ‘We can't approve something like this without knowing what it means in terms of its cost implications and how we are going to pay for it’," Fuzile told the commission.

He added that some cabinet ministers opposed the deal, something which angered former president Zuma.