The Valindaba site, also known as Pelindaba East or Y-plant,[1] was an experimental uranium enrichment plant, located 35 km west of Pretoria, Gauteng province, South Africa.
[4] It was alleged that in 1980 or 1981, South Africa had received low-enriched uranium from China, which the latter denied, for use as fuel for its Koeberg nuclear power plant rods.
[8] Two American brokering firms, Edlow International and SWUCO Inc, procured uranium fuel for South Africa and sent it to France for processing before being sent to the former country.
[6] Early in 1986, the IAEA attempted to negotiate an inspection program for Valindaba with the South Africa government but talks broke down between the two parties.
[9] In September 1989, FW de Klerk was appointed president of South Africa with a policy to improve the country's relationship with the rest of the world.