Minister Mantashe has submitted an affidavit to the High Court in response to a high court application by Peter Becker to review the decision by the Minister to dismiss him from the Board of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR). Previous posts included the Founding Affidavit, the Supplementary Founding Affidavit and the Answering Affidavit from the NNR and NNR Board Chair. This is the only opportunity for the Minister to present evidence to the court.

The affidavit expresses the view that the function of NNR Board members is to ““Loyally execute the policies of the government of the day” which includes the life extension of Koeberg. The Minister characterises resistance to this plan as “political opposition”, misconduct, and a justified basis for dismissal.

Below is the text of the Answering Affidavit from Minister Mantashe, which is now in the public court record.

The Minister’s full affidavit including annexures is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c37g3sedGOE8l_-Ck-D-h8cCMpiP4NYd/view?usp=sharing