Despite two rulings from the Western Cape High Court saying that National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) board member and civil society representative Peter Becker’s dismissal was “unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid”, Minister Mantashe and the chairperson of the NNR Board are both now attempting to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). 

In the 26 May 2023 High Court ruling, Judge Babalwa Mantame criticised the respondents, stating: “It appears that the respondents decided on reading the judgment of this Court selectively” and denied Mantashe and the NNR the right to appeal (see below for full judgment). However, both the Minister and the NNR chairperson have now indicated they will be requesting direct access to the SCA.