Deputy Speaker, The threat of a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima plant in Japan must give us pause for thought. Fast-moving developments have put the nuclear crisis at the top of the world's agenda. Political leaders are already rethinking policies on nuclear energy, and the German chancellor announced yesterday that Germany would put its plans to extend the life of reactors on hold. This moratorium would last for three months. The German government wants to examine events more closely before deciding which way to proceed.
We, too, should be asking questions about the danger of radiation leaks - the nuclear disaster requires some clear answers from us all. Does Koeberg have a strong container dome to prevent leakage of radiation? Does it have a secondary system of cooling so that if the primary system fails, the secondary system can be called into play and the plant can remain cooled?
What is happening in Japan will unnerve South Africans living in close proximity to Koeberg and other areas where Eskom is planning to build nuclear plants. These people and all of South Africa need a clear and expansive statement from government on safety measures at Koeberg and the government's nuclear policy in general, and what will be in the interests of South Africa.