Reports that a Russian delegation met with President Jacob Zuma before his Cabinet reshuffle last week are not far-fetched, says News 24 editor Adriaan Basson.
It's alleged that a top team sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed Zuma to speed up a multibillion-dollar nuclear deal.
Read: Speculation over Mahlobo's new top energy post just weeks after Russia gas trip
This supposedly took place just before David Mahlobo was appointed Energy Minister.
We actually heard last week that the Russians were in town but we didn't have enough sources to confirm and report it.
— Adriaan Basson, author and editor at Netwerk24
LISTEN: Mahlobo says President gave him clear mandate to ensure energy security
According to Basson, Mahlobo is highly-regarded by Russsian officials.
Mahlobo seems to be the Russians' favourite politician in Cabinet and is seen as the one who can make the proverbial 'water out of wine' by getting nuclear through in two months.
— Adriaan Basson, author and editor at Netwerk24
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This article first appeared on CapeTalk : Mahlobo seems to be the Russians' favourite Cabinet minister - Adriaan Basson
