The department of energy was tight-lipped on Friday over the awarding of a tender for the controversial nuclear build programme to the son of a close friend of President Jacob Zuma.<\/p>\n
When approached for comment, departmental spokesperson Thandiwe Maimane said by email: “For now the department of energy will not be commenting further on the matter.<\/p>\n
The Mail & Guardian<\/a> reported that Shantan Reddy, the son of flamboyant businessman Vivan Reddy, was the recipient of a R171m contract by the department of energy. The contract appears to be the first transaction in the multi-billion rand nuclear deal, despite earlier assertions Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson that South Africa has not yet entered into any such a deal.<\/p>\n The tender was published on the DoE\u2019s website under the category \u201cAwarded Bids\u201d. The bid number BAC-10\/16 appeared under the heading as well as the company name Central Lake Trading 149, which trades as Empire Technology.<\/p>\n According to the Mail & Guardian, Empire Technology can be traced back to the Edison Power Group \u2013 a company owned by Vivian Reddy of which Reddy Jnr is the deputy chairperson.<\/p>\n The DA\u2019s spokesperson on energy Gordon Mackay told Fin24 by phone that the tender awarded to Shantan Reddy appears to be for a “system” that will manage the nuclear build project.<\/p>\n News24<\/a><\/p>\n Watch: How South Africa\u2019s nuclear plans will destroy the economy<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Nuclear plans will push South Africa to R3 trillion in debt: Outa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n SA has not entered into a nuclear deal with any country: Ramaphosa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on nuclear<\/h3>\n