Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe is accused of obstructing South Africa’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
This comes after he apparently refused to attend an event last week that pres. Cyril Ramaphosa held with European leaders for the signing of a memorandum of understanding regarding green power.
Sunday Times reported that Mantashe did not sign the $1 billion deal with the Netherlands and Denmark because it was apparently drawn up without his input. The agreement was eventually signed by other government leaders.
South Africa is facing a power crisis with daily load shedding and confusion over how to deal with the crisis amid calls for a transition to cleaner energy.
The debate regarding the transition is characterized by infighting in the government, which has a long history of supporting unions representing miners.
The DA said it was “unacceptable” that Mantashe did not sign the agreement and requested that the minister be removed from office.
“We cannot afford to have a recalcitrant and ideologically compromised minister at the helm of the energy portfolio,” said Kevin Mileham, DA MP and spokesperson on mineral resources and energy.
“It has become very clear that Mantashe’s actions and ideologies are hindering the much-needed energy transition in our country. It is further sobering to witness Mantashe’s open support for the coal pressure group and his focus on restoring Eskom’s fleet of coal-fired power stations, disregarding the urgent need to switch to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. His personal interests and ideological biases hinder the progress of our energy sector and hinder the necessary steps towards a greener future.”
Despite being invited, Mantashe did not attend the signing of the agreement and chose to attend an energy summit hosted by a trade union federation.
Nathi Shabangu, Mantashe’s spokesperson, told AFP that the minister’s absence did not indicate his disagreement with the agreement. According to Shabangu, Mantashe did not sign the agreement for the simple reason that “he did not see the memorandum and he could not sign something he did not see”.
Mantashe has been outspoken in his support for coal in the past, saying last year that it was not in the country’s best interest to abandon coal, citing economic damage and job losses.
Since 2021, South Africa has already secured billions of dollars worth of international loans and grants to support a transition to green energy.
