Deputy Speaker, it has been reported that all five Brics countries reaffirmed their support for nuclear energy as an important element in their future energy mix, while Germany, Switzerland, Japan and Italy have now joined Austria, Spain and Denmark in withdrawing from commitments to nuclear power.
Post-Fukushima, South Africa's continued commitment to a nuclear programme, which the Department of Trade and Industry's Industrial Policy Action Plan estimates will cost in excess of R1 trillion, is foolhardy. Not only will this place an enormous strain on the balance of payments and result in severe consequences for the South African economy, but we are closing our eyes to other very real risks.
The ACDP calls on government to utilise the R1 trillion in the implementation of less-destructive energy-efficient measures. Hon Minister, South Africa needs your assurance that we will not be bound by short- sighted commitments to nuclear programmes and that we will not allow ourselves to be manipulated by France or Brics partners in this matter. The ACDP will not support this Vote.