Mailbox: Zuma pushed nuclear button – Russian One – as Hawks circle Gordhan

From Biznews community member Daniel Sutherland

Nuclear_Power_Plant_Cattenom_sliderThe Daily Maverick broke the story that Pravin Gordhan has to present himself to the Hawks by Thurday. A formal warning statement will reportedly be taken from him. That is a precursor to be formally charged.

This development has to be read in context with the reports that President Zuma will take charge of a Presidential State Owned Enterprise co-ordinating council.

So what has this got to do with the nuclear button?

Its not just the disastrous implications that it holds in for our economy and the rand. Or the fact that Zuma will be in full control of all SOE’s, which has already been captured by the Guptas, who has President Zuma’s son Duduzane as a major shareholder.

I am talking about the Russian nuclear deal. It has everything to do with the Russian nuclear deal, which Pravin Gordhan opposes on the basis of it being unaffordable. It has been reported that Duduzane Zuma holds a share of about 9,5% in Shiva Uranium, a uranium mine that the Guptas picked up for a bargain and got help from the IDC to finance it.

This mine is reportedly worth R14.7 billion on the JSE, the only problem is that this mine is unprofitable at current uranium prices, so the mine is not making money. The mine is therefore not worth that R14.7 billion.

Put one and one together, and its clear – Zuma’s endgame has begun. He is throwing caution to the wind, and he is putting his plans in motion.

And for that plans to be successfully put in motion, he will need a compliant finance minister, and who better than Brian Molefe of Eskom? With the recently installed MP, and Zuma loyalist, Sifiso Buthelezi, as the deputy finance minister?

I don’t want to plagiarize, I will quote the following in what I read in this RDM.CO.ZA article : Two enemies in the mining industry agree – Oakbay is a dud: ” So if all those who’ve had a bash at Shiva believe it doesn’t make economic sense, it adds further credence to the notion that the Guptas’ endgame is to sell Oakbay to whoever is hired to build nuclear plants in SA.

If, say, Russia’s Rosatom ends up with that contract, it could justify buying Oakbay as part of an “offset” deal for close to its R14.7bn “market value”. Shareholders, including the Guptas and President Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane (who plans to sell his stake), would reap a windfall.”

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