The most devastating rebuke to a government department in many years has been tabled by parliament's portfolio committee on energy. Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson has been soundly rebuked by the committee for the secrecy shrouding the proposed nuclear-power deal.It also sets specific tasks, with deadlines, for her to improve her department's performance.The annual departmental budgetary review and recommendation report was supported by all parties, with ANC MP Motswaledi Matlala proposing the adoption of the report and DA MP Gordon Mackay seconding the proposal.The committee said that "in terms of nuclear, the country is going through a large procurement process and there is a need for transparency and a rational discussion to ensure that the government can carry out this task successfully and prudently".The committee takes Joemat-Pettersson to task for withholding information, including about the integrated nuclear infrastructure review, finance options and the economic impact of the localisation of the nuclear programme.It accuses Joemat-Pettersson's department of "hindering key infrastructure development required for energy security".In their report, the MPs complain that "documentation from the department lacks clarity on cost and time frames, resulting in the portfolio committee being unable to conduct oversight on aspects of departmental work".They rebuke Joemat-Pettersson for the number of policy documents outstanding, including the integrated energy plan, the integrated resource plan, the liquid fuels master plan and the gas utilisation master plan.MPs found that the department's oversight of state-owned enterprises was inadequate, noting that "the R14.5-billion impairment at PetroSA could have been lower had the department put checks and balances in place to ensure stricter financial control", and that the Nuclear Company of SA was prevented by the auditor-general from publishing its annual report.The committee has recommended that Joemat-Pettersson personally undertake 21 remedial actions, including:Ensuring transparent nuclear procurement;Presenting key nuclear procurement information to parliament;Initiating a forensic investigation into impairment at PetroSA; the full findings to be presented to parliament.Providing parliament with reasons for the delays in the Nuclear Company's annual report and audit;Implementing the findings of the auditor-general;Ensuring that outstanding policy documents are finalised and presented to parliament within six months; andEnsuring that her department is restructured and correctly staffed...