Picture: The acting Minister of Police, Gwede Mantashe
By OBAKENG MAJE
15 July 2025- The Republic of South Africa (RSA), President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, as Acting Minister of Police with immediate effect. Ramaphosa said Mantashe will serve in this capacity until Prof Firoz Cachalia, who will retire from his position at the University of the Witwatersrand at the end of this month, assumes his position at the start of August.
“Mantashe will retain his responsibilities as Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources,” he said.
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has declared the South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC) as open for business and ready for investors.
The Minister was delivering remarks at the official launch of SANPC in Johannesburg, on Friday.
The new state-owned enterprise (SOE) is an amalgamation of PetroSA, the South African Gas Development Company (iGas) and the Strategic Fuel Fund Association.
It is aimed at enhancing South Africa’s energy security, reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and ensuring more effective management of the country’s petroleum assets.
“The real issue is ensuring energy security in the country. In the wake of evolving global trends, including the push to shift away from fossil fuel usage, the SANPC is expected to operate in an increasingly volatile, unpredictable and polarised world.
“The local refining capacity is also quite critical. Reviving PetroSA is important, SAPREF is important and therefore, if there are people who want to partner with us…we are open for business, we are open for partnerships and we are open for people who want to invest,” he said.
The Minister highlighted that the demand for fossil fuels is expected to grow, despite the “shift in demand towards cleaner sources of energy production”.
“To this end, the SANPC is expected to oversee strategic planning, coordination, and governance of the country’s petroleum resources, and thereby contribute to the country’s sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.
“For the entity to generate revenue for self-sustainability and sufficiency, it must take advantage of the strategic partnerships and national capabilities in the energy industry to champion energy supply and investment in associated infrastructure,” he said.
The Minister emphasised the need for good governance and leadership at the SOE.
“To enable the entity to deliver on its mandate, we had to ensure good governance, and in so doing, reduce both the operational and financial risks; hence, we swiftly appointed the board of directors, an interim CEO, as well as the non-executive directors in April last year.
“Since then, tremendous work has been done in winding down the outstanding matters and getting governance arrangements going.
“For the entity to succeed, it must have a strong leadership with vision, common objectives, and the ability to develop managerial capacity. It is equally important for all employees to foster a new culture and a sense of community that encourages collaboration and teamwork, as well as transparent and honest communication.
“A task at hand for all of us is to ensure that the entity remains financially sustainable and independent in order to fulfil its developmental mandate,” Mantashe concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
27 November 2024 – The Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources met yesterday with the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources and the Department of Electricity and Energy.
The meeting provided an in-depth understanding of the mandates, functions and responsibilities of the departments and their respective entities. During the discussions, the committee commended the department for its outstanding efforts in ensuring the financial stability of its State-Owned Enterprises (SEOs) over the past six years, for which no bailouts were required.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Bones Modise said this achievement reflects a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and effective management, reinforcing the resilience of our SOEs in the face of economic challenges. Modise said a significant concern was the ongoing issue of illegal mining, recognised as a countrywide problem affecting various regions across South Africa.
“Members of the committee highlighted the need for robust regulations to address this pressing issue effectively. Mantashe firmly stated that illegal mining is a criminal activity rather than a mere regulatory violation. He stressed that law enforcement involvement is crucial in tackling this challenge, as it poses serious risks to the economy and community safety.
“The committee also sought clarity on the future of South Africa’s energy supply, particularly regarding the transition from coal to gas and potential partnerships with Mozambique and Russia for gas supply. Additionally, members inquired about the current status of oil and gas exploration along the West Coast, stressing the importance of considering the implications for local communities and environmental sustainability,” he said.
Furthermore, Modise said the discussions highlighted the department’s need to enhance its efforts in addressing historical inequalities within the mining sector. He added that members called for strategies that promote historically disadvantaged groups’ participation and ensure that sector benefits are equitably distributed.
Johannesburg – The ANC’s three-day lekgotla held in Pretoria at the weekend did not go into detailed discussions about President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla home following an in loco inspection by Parliament’s ad hoc committee, secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Monday.
“It was not an issue for major discussion in the lekgotla,” he told reporters in Johannesburg,
The Guardian 