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Business Wire
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Westinghouse and Energoatom Reinforce Ukraine's Energy Independence with Partnership for Fuel Assembly Capability
ROME--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Westinghouse Electric Company and JSC 'NNEGC 'Energoatom,' Ukraine's national nuclear power company, signed an agreement at the Ukraine Recovery Conference to jointly pursue final fuel assembly capability in Ukraine. This cooperation deepens the partnership between both companies around security of fuel supply for Ukraine's nuclear fleet, leveraging the Westinghouse VVER fuel solution, the only fully Western VVER fuel offering. Petro Kotin, Acting CEO of JSC 'NNEGC 'Energoatom,' and Aziz Dag, Westinghouse Senior Vice-President of Global BWR and VVER Fuel Business, signed the declaration in the presence of Ukraine's Minister of Energy, German Galuschenko The agreement confirms the intention to establish an assembly line for VVER-1000 fuel elements at the facilities of Energoatom's affiliate AtomEnergoMash. It is expected that the final agreement will be signed in the near future. Earlier this year, Westinghouse approved AtomEnergoMash as a qualified supplier for the manufacturing of top and bottom nozzles for Westinghouse's VVER-1000 fuel assemblies in Ukraine, paving the way for this new advanced fuel assembly capability in the country. "We are continuing our path to establishing our nuclear fuel assembly line in Ukraine by implementing advanced Westinghouse technologies. I am very grateful to our partners for their trust, based on many years of successful cooperation. Step by step, Energoatom is moving towards becoming the centre of nuclear energy in Eastern Europe," said Petro Kotin, head of JSC 'NNEGC 'Energoatom'. 'We are proud to extend our strong partnership and shared commitment to energy security in Ukraine,' said Tarik Choho, Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel President. 'Westinghouse has an excellent track record of VVER nuclear fuel design used in VVER-1000 and VVER-440 nuclear power plants in Ukraine, with two decades of exceptional operational performance. Our best-in-class fuel assemblies help Ukraine and other countries reduce their dependence on Russian nuclear fuel supply chains and advance a carbon-free future.' Besides providing Ukraine's existing nuclear fleet with its industry-leading fuel, Westinghouse has committed to build nine AP1000 ® reactors in Ukraine. The AP1000 reactor is the only operating advanced Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design and the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. There are six AP1000 reactors currently setting operational performance and availability records worldwide, with twelve reactors under construction and six more under contract. There will be 18 units based on AP1000 technology in operation globally by the end of the decade. The AP1000 technology has also been selected for nuclear energy programs in Poland and Bulgaria and is also under consideration at multiple other sites in Europe, the United Kingdom and North America. Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957, and the company's technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
Daily Maverick
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
It wasn't about power, ‘it was a conversation between two adults', Mbenenge tells hearing
Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge says he believes judges are not subject to labour laws or employee workplace relations regulations. Proceedings at the Judicial Conduct hearing into allegations of sexual harassment against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge were briefly disrupted before lunch on Wednesday, 9 July by placard-waving protesters. They were swiftly removed. The protesters are evidence of the widespread interest and anger surrounding this seminal South African case dealing with modern power relations in the workplace and how these affect unwanted approaches of a personal nature. Explaining the short interruption, tribunal chair, retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe, said while the proceedings were open to anyone from the public, 'you may not perform on this stage'. At the core of this complaint of sexual harassment lodged against the Judge President with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) by court secretary Andiswa Mengo is whether the unequal power relations in the matter are relevant. Mbenenge has denied the charges and has maintained that the contact with Mengo was consensual. Late on Tuesday evening, during cross-examination by evidence leader advocate Salomé Scheepers, Mbenenge revealed to the panel his view that judges were not subject to the country's labour and workplace employee relations laws. 'I see it my way' In Mbenenge's mind, the fact that he is one of the most senior judges in the division and its head, had no effect on how he moved through life or the world, or how he was perceived by others, he told the tribunal on Wednesday. Judges, he said, were appointed by the President after recommendations by the JSC. Salaries are paid from the National Revenue Fund, which is separate from the Department of Justice. As independent operatives, they were therefore not subject to the ordinary rules of the workplace. However, the tribunal has been reminded, this does not give Mbenenge a status above other citizens of the country, as the Constitution upholds the rights of all. By way of example, Mbenenge set out to explain an occasion when he felt his status had played no role. This was when he had tried to reconcile a court manager who had allegedly insulted the complainant, Mengo. In that instance, he said, he had not acted as a judge, but as a 'social human'. 'Unless there is a theory or a notion that judge presidents should only talk to other JPs, this flies in the face of social reality.' Mbenenge added, 'even if I had been a watchman, I would have intervened in any matter where there was conflict between two people in a workplace.' While it is highly likely that Mbenenge has never been a watchman, it appears his intact self-esteem enabled him to project, into the mind of a 'watchman', a confident and level-headed mediator such as himself. When it came to how Mengo might have read or interpreted Mbenenge's behaviour differently, as suggested by Scheepers, Mbenenge's responses became a pattern through the morning: 'That is your interpretation. I see it my way. Or I see it differently.' In January, Mengo testified that she had to show respect towards Mbenenge – this was after he had first begun WhatsApping her in June 2021 after a personal interaction in the workplace. 'I have to respect him as someone who is also in charge. Even the manner in which I responded to him, I had to be very cautious,' Mengo testified. Scheepers said this, as well as the fact that Mengo had lodged a complaint of sexual harassment (at great personal cost to both parties, it turns out), was evidence of how she perceived the JP's advances differently. Mbenenge replied to Scheepers: 'So be it. What I need to say is simply that she might harbour this understanding, but I never understood it that way. 'I never imposed myself on her. You don't deal with people from the perspective that 'you know I am a JP'. When I was conversing with the complainant, and remember I am a top lawyer, according to some and the media understanding, when I was chatting with her I was being a social being.' To which Scheepers shot back, 'but you are the Judge President! You do not have to impose that on her. She knew that!' Mbenenge replied, 'I never imposed myself as a JP. The conversation was not between a JP and a junior staff member. I was simply a social being when talking to her in this instance. It was a conversation between two adults…'. Multi-tasking while pummeling Scheepers began her cross-examination late on Tuesday in a pugnacious mood which continued throughout Wednesday as she drilled down into uncomfortable territory. At several points, Mbenenge objected to her 'tone'. This was after complaining earlier in the week about the quality of her work and complaining often that he was being treated as someone 'guilty until proven innocent'. The JP was also angered when he believed that Scheepers was not focusing exclusively on him while he gave evidence or provided replies to questions. He told Judge Ngoepe that he objected to her side consultations with Mengo's counsel, advocate Nasreen Rajab-Budlender. Mbenenge stated he had found this 'disrespectful', at which point Ngoepe intervened, saying that 'advocate Scheepers does not mean disrespect. Perhaps a problem will arise only when she says you need to repeat your answer, then that could be the point. 'But if she feels she can manage to pick up a word or two and still be receptive to your answer, it should not be a problem. The weight of the matter Judge Ngoepe, as chair of the tribunal, has clearly understood the enormous significance of this matter and has tried to navigate this as an older man and retired judge, allowing evidence by gender expert, Lisa Vetten, which Mbenenge's legal team, advocates Musi Sikhakhane and Griffiths Madonsela, had sought to have excluded. When Mbenenge lashed out on Wednesday, saying the matter had rendered him almost a 'pariah' who would never again be invited to give lectures at illustrious universities such as Fort Hare as a result of the stigma, Ngoepe again intervened in even tones to calm him: 'No matter the court of public opinion, in this tribunal there is no point of departure which says the person is guilty, otherwise the proceedings would be a charade. 'Otherwise the outcome would have been determined already. Irrespective of public opinion, irrespective of what everybody thinks… We are going to decide this case on the facts before us and in terms of the law, irrespective of who said what.' Mbenenge said he was not attacking the tribunal. 'I would never do that.' With regard to Scheepers' relentless cross-examination, Judge Ngoepe told Mbenenge that 'you need to understand advocate Scheepers' job, and she is doing her best and she is trying to be as fair as she can possibly be. 'For the rest, this remains with us. We can read and write. That is why we are here. We are going to read every single message and understand it in the way we are capable of understanding.' Whosoever diggeth a pit It has not been pleasant for anyone watching Mbenenge squirm under the weight of deeply intimate and personal details being made public. Under attack is his very worldview, which appears to contain so many halls and mirrors, it has detached him from self-reflection or control. At one point, while searching for a piece of evidence, he looked up and said 'I am lost', which certainly sums up to some extent his foray into his ill-considered advances to Mengo and the Earth-shattering consequences. Mbenenge had told the tribunal of his talent for 'being able to read a room' and that in his interpretation of all the WhatsApps between himself and Mengo, she was a 'willing participant'. This was regardless of initial rebuffs, which were followed by his relentless persistence, which he claimed was 'flirtation' and which he had hoped would become physical. Scheepers shot back that 'you intentionally did not read the room. You read what you wanted to read. You asked her 11 times for photographs, you even begged. And still she did not send any nude pictures.' Scheepers put it to Mbenenge that 'the dominant clause here is you asking for pictures.' The JP shot back angrily, 'No! The dominant clause is the taking of more pictures. She had already sent one [of her WhatsApp profile pictures, according to evidence]. ' He agreed that his messages were sent after hours, a time, he told the tribunal, that was more 'convenient' for him as a busy court head. He said he had been steering 'things in a direction, seeing as I had developed an interest in her'. There were many occasions when it appears Mbenenge's messages were not convenient for Mengo, who would either not respond, or when she did, she would say she was exhausted, or at the gym or cooking, or sleeping, or preparing for work. Scheepers asked Mbenenge why he had not informed or established with the court secretary up front that she might want this intimate relationship. 'I have yet to read a book where when you are interested in a woman, these are the steps you must take. You greet them, go for pleasantries, buy her a chocolate. I have not been charged here for flirting in one manner or another. Were the chats welcome? I say they were.'
IOL News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Eastern Cape Judge President defends claims of sexual harassment
Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge on Monday gave his version to the JSC tribunal regarding accusations of sexual harassment against him. Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge said the claims by a judge's secretary that he tried to solicit oral sex from her in chambers never happened, and that the allegations are malicious and hurtful. Judge Mbenenge took the stand on Monday in the Judicial Conduct Tribunal's sexual harassment probe against him. Judge's secretary Andiswa Menge claimed that Judge Mbenenge had made unwanted sexual advances towards her. These include that on either November 14 or 15, 2022, he called her into his office and tried to solicit oral sex from her by attempting to open the zip of his pants. In defending these allegations, Mbenenge said that he hoped that he did not need to answer to these allegations, as they were all lies and never happened. He said that if proper investigations were done by the evidence leader of the tribunal prior to the hearing, he would not have needed to answer to these allegations. Menge earlier testified that the sexual advances made by the judge president towards her in his chambers happened in the afternoon and she said his secretary was not there at the time. But Judge Mbenenge said the court's laptop register showed that on November 14, Menge left the court building before his secretary. He testified that on that day he only saw Menge briefly that morning when he commented on her court attire and he did not see her again. The following day he was only at court until noon, when he left. The judge president also used the tracker records of his state-issued vehicle to prove his movements on those days. Judge Mbenenge also vehemently denied that he had ever sent Menge any pictures of his private parts. 'I have never sent any picture of my body part to her. It is a lie,' he told the tribunal. In responding to questions by his counsel Advocate Griffiths Madonsela at the start of the proceedings as to how he valued women, Mbenenge denied that he saw them as objects of lust. 'These labels are hurtful,' he told the tribunal. Judge Mbenenge said that adults are free to engage in any relationship, as long as it is mutual, adding that he is not concerned about any age difference. Regarding his "flirtatious" conversations with Menge, he explained that the way he understood flirtation is that it is a playful way of interacting with someone you are interested in. 'This is what happened in this instance,' he said. Asked about having a relationship with someone of a lower standing, Judge Mbenenge responded that judges are human beings. Much is said about the power dynamics, Judge Mbenenge said, but explained that Menge is employed in terms of the Public Service Act and that he is not her employer. Judge Mbenenge said that since being labelled a 'sex pest', he has gone through a lot. 'It was painful,' he said, but added that nobody is perfect. With the 'dark cloud' hanging over his head, he came to realise his imperfections. 'I had to embrace that and soldier on.' In testifying about their flirtatious WhatsApp conversations, Judge Mbenenge said there was no time during their conversations that he sensed she felt uncomfortable. 'She played along; there was never any no.' He asked the tribunal to see their flirtatious exchanges, including the emojis they exchanged, in the context of two Xhosa people conversing with each other. 'It is highly embarrassing for me to talk about this… We are not dealing with a romantic relationship; it was only flirtatious,' Judge Mbenenge said, explaining that it was all just 'playful' interaction.
Daily Maverick
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
D-day for Judge President Selby Mbenenge, who faces the inquisition of a lifetime
This morning at 9.30am, Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge will finally testify at the mammoth Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating allegations against him of sexual harassment. July 7 at 9.30am, Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge will finally testify at the mammoth Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating allegations against him of sexual harassment. The complaint, lodged with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) by court secretary Andiswa Mengo in January 2023, has hovered over the judge president like a sword of Damocles. Mbenenge took special leave (he was not suspended as is customary) as a result of the controversy. The judge president, according to Judges Matter, 'is highly regarded as a senior lawyer' and credited with transforming the division, unifying the disparate seats. He also attracted some of 'the finest legal minds to serve as judges of that court'. This case, as tribunal evidence leader, advocate Salomé Scheepers highlighted at the start, is historic. It is also the first major case of sexual harassment to reach the formal complaints process of the Judicial Service Commission. Judges Matter noted that 'the gravity of these proceedings [is] increased by Mbenenge's status in the judiciary: he is the second-most senior judge president in the country and is the sixth-most senior judge in judicial leadership. 'If found guilty, he might just be the third judge to face judicial impeachment in the history of South Africa'. Last week, several witnesses testified in favour of Mbenenge, including court secretaries and a Unicode expert on the technical architecture of emojis. These pollarded (basic) childlike digital icons became a centrepiece of the inquiry, with several 'experts' testifying on the multiple meanings that could be attached to an eggplant or a blushing peach. The central issue — which has been somewhat obscured by the dust kicked up by Mbenenge's formidable legal team, advocates Muzi Sikhakahne and Griffiths Madonsela — remains power relations in the workplace. Mbenenge has not denied sending crude, suggestive and explicit WhatsApp messages to Mengo and has insisted their contact was consensual. No contest On Friday, in an attempt to counter evidence by renowned Gender-Based Violence and sexual harassment expert, Dr Lisa Vetten, Mbenenge's legal team wheeled in a court stenographer. Unathu Sokoni, who began working for the courts in Springbok as a stenographer, and who moved to the Makhanda High Court, was called by Madonsela. But it turned out all Sokoni could offer was a WhatsApp conversation between the accuser, Mengo, and herself and that this was to be admitted as 'expert evidence' – possibly as a woman. 'Lisa Vetten came here in this tribunal and gave evidence to the effect that the complainant was subjugated because of the power positions of her, as a child secretary, and because the judge president was a judge and a father', complained Madonsela. Sokoni's conversation with Mbenenge's accuser would prove this not to be the case, he argued vehemently. The tribunal heard earlier in the week from another court secretary, Zintle Nkqayi, who testified for the judge president, that he had often referred to female staff as 'my big girls' and had a penchant for commenting on their appearance. Ironically, advocate Muzi Sikhahane had earlier accused Vetten of 'infantilising' Mengo by suggesting she did not have the capacity to ward off Mbenenge's persistent approaches. The tribunal has heard that Mbenenge would not take 'no' for an answer. Mengo's legal representative, Nasreen Rajab-Budlender, informed the inquiry that Sokoni was not 'an expert in power relations' and added that Mbenenge's legal team had been given ample time to find their own expert. 'They chose not to do so. The evidence Ms Sokoni seeks to give is irrelevant to the matter'. Ngoepe agreed that 'the panel is correct that Sokoni's evidence should be regarded as inadmissible'.
Daily Maverick
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
JSC to recommend Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo for Deputy Chief Justice position
The Judicial Service Commission has decided to recommend the Gauteng Judge President for the second-highest position in the judiciary — after his 2022 bid for Chief Justice was nearly torpedoed in what seemed to be a coordinated campaign to derail his candidacy. Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo has been given the nod by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for the position of Deputy Chief Justice (DCJ). 'The JSC has decided to advise the President that Judge President Mlambo of the Gauteng Division is suitable for appointment as Deputy Chief Justice, and in accordance with that decision, a report will be submitted by the JSC to the President, including a report on the other two candidates,' said JSC commissioner advocate Sesi Baloyi on Thursday, 2 July. The position of DCJ has been vacant since September 2024, when Chief Justice Mandisa Maya assumed her role at the apex of the judiciary. This week, three candidates went head to head in front of the JSC. In addition to Mlambo, President Cyril Ramaphosa nominated the Judge President of the Free State Division, Cagney Musi, and the Judge President of the Northern Cape, Pule Tlaletsi, for the DJC role. A fourth nominee, Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) Justice Mahube Molemela, withdrew. Both Tlaletsi and Musi stumbled at points in their interviews; Tlaletsi, notably, for saying that sexual harassment in the judiciary was an issue that he had not personally 'identified as a problem', and Musi over his contentious decision to allocate the R24.9-million Nulane case to acting Judge Nompumelelo Gusha. Last month, the SCA reversed Gusha's decision to grant discharges and acquittals to all the accused in the Nulane matter, in a ruling that found the acting judge had made multiple legal errors. On Thursday, Musi, who was one of the SCA's panel of judges at the appeal, defended his decision to appoint Gusha, adding, however, that he agreed with the SCA decision. 'The judge [Gusha] got it wrong. That is why we have courts of appeal. I agree totally with the SCA,' he said. 'Threat to the rule of law' Mlambo, interviewed first in a marathon session on Wednesday, said it would be 'an honour' for him to serve as South Africa's next DCJ. He is South Africa's most senior Judge President, Mbekezeli Benjamin, a research and advocacy officer at Judges Matter, reported in Daily Maverick. For the past 15 years he has served as Judge President of two of South Africa's busiest courts — the Labour Court and then the Gauteng Division of the High Court. At 66, if appointed, Mlambo will serve as DCJ for four years until his mandatory retirement in 2029. 'I think my leadership style, Chief Justice, is one of inclusivity, team-leading and enabling. Were I to be recommended as Deputy Chief Justice, I would continue in that leadership philosophy,' said Mlambo. Asked by Maya whether he would have an issue working under her — a woman who is younger than him — Mlambo said: 'I will not have a problem with that. In fact, I don't think it's an issue at all. 'I'm not in the judiciary for positions. I'm in the judiciary to ensure that the judiciary fulfils its constitutional mandate in whatever capacity I find myself in. And I would gladly support you, and work under you, and abide by your dictates and directions, Chief Justice.' Mlambo vied for the position of Chief Justice in 2022, against Maya and former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, to succeed then Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng. But Mlambo and Zondo's interviews were nearly derailed by attempted political hit-jobs from a JSC cabal led by advocate Dali Mpofu and EFF leader Julius Malema, reported Daily Maverick's Rebecca Davis. Ramaphosa later chose to ignore the JSC's recommendation of Maya — as was his legal right — and appointed Zondo as Chief Justice in March 2022. He retired on 31 August 2024 and was replaced by Maya. Following the public interview process, the JSC has deliberated and resolved to advise the President that Judge President D Mlambo is suitable for appointment as the Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa. #JSCinterviews #ocj_rsa #JudiciaryRSA — RSAJudiciary (@OCJ_RSA) July 3, 2025 In his interview, Mlambo took a particularly firm stance on the issue of the unacceptability of attacks on the judiciary. 'Powerful people who criticise the courts, who impute corruption and other negative implications on the imputations of the judiciary are a threat to [the] rule of law,' said Mlambo. He said the DCJ should take up the mantle of supporting the Chief Justice in engaging with legal professionals and civil society and making them aware that 'this type of wanton, unfounded criticism of the judiciary is a problem'. Mlambo, at first, did not reference political parties or politicians specifically, but asked by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi about the issue, he admitted he shied away from mentioning 'political players in the criticism of the judiciary'. He said it was the constitutional prerogative of the executive and the legislature to defend the judiciary 'when it comes under unnecessary and unwarranted attack'. Modernisation of the judiciary Maya revealed that Mlambo had played a key role in the judiciary's motivation for its independence. Honouring the 30th anniversary of the Constitutional Court last month, Ramaphosa announced plans for the judiciary to become an independent institution like Parliament — a call judges have been making for years. He vowed that the government would provide budgetary and operational support. Mlambo said he would support Maya in her vision of judicial independence. 'Chief Justice, you've hit the ground running as the current Chief Justice. Your vision is very clear: the independence of the judiciary. And, hardly a year in office, the executive has yielded. We've been fighting this battle for the last 14-15 years, but now it's going to become reality that we will also be institutionally independent,' he said. Mlambo is renowned for his administrative wizardry and innovative approach to leadership. He spearheaded the roll-out of the court online system in the Gauteng Division of the High Court in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, and as chair of the judiciary's IT committee he has overseen the further roll-out of this system to seven of the nine provinces, reported Daily Maverick. He said he had been 'fortunate' to have been 'central to the modernisation of the judiciary' in South Africa. The DCJ, according to Mlambo, 'must possess strong intellectual leadership skills to support and advance the constitutional jurisprudence development' of the Constitutional Court. 'The Deputy Chief Justice, as supporting the Chief Justice, must have a very well-developed operational, as well as a systems and administrative sense, to ensure that the operations of the Constitutional Court, and of the general judiciary, goes according to plan and achieves its objectives,' he said. Mlambo said he believed the role of the DCJ was to enable efficiency at the Constitutional Court. He said it was 'not good' that some Constitutional Court judgments take several months to be delivered. DM
