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The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy concluded its public hearings on the Gas Bill on Wednesday.

In her opening remarks, committee Chairperson Ms Zama Khanyase emphasised the importance of meaningful public participation in the legislative process and encouraged stakeholders to provide frank and constructive inputs. She said the committee is committed to ensuring that the Gas Bill responds to South Africa's energy needs while advancing economic development and protecting the interests of communities.

On the last day of the hearings, the committee heard support for modernising South Africa's gas regulatory framework. Industry stakeholders discussed that the Gas Bill could play an important role in attracting investment, expanding energy infrastructure and supporting economic growth. Presenters highlighted the need for regulatory certainty, clear definitions and alignment with existing legislation to avoid duplication and provide confidence to investors operating in the sector. Several stakeholders also stressed the important role that gas, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), could play in strengthening energy security and supporting industrial development. Gas suppliers raised a concern that clear roles and responsibilities needed to be defined, as currently there is overlap between the Gas Bill and the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2024.

Environmental organisations raised significant concerns about the Bill in its current form. Stakeholders indicated that the legislation could facilitate long-term investment in gas infrastructure without sufficient consideration of South Africa's climate commitments and future energy needs. The environmental organisations called for the completion of the Integrated Energy Plan before finalising the Bill and urged that stronger climate governance measures be incorporated into the legislation. Presenters also advocated for greater transparency and enhanced public participation in licensing and regulatory decision-making processes. They also stated that the Bill needed to be aligned with South Africa's Just Energy Transition commitments as well as the Climate Change Act.

Organised labour expressed support for the Bill, highlighting its potential to stimulate economic activity and create employment opportunities. Labour representatives stressed the importance of ensuring that workers and local communities benefit directly from the development of the gas sector through localisation measures, skills development initiatives and worker empowerment programmes. Organised labour further emphasised the need for adequate resources and capacity within regulatory institutions to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of the legislation.

The committee engaged with stakeholders on issues relating to energy security, climate change, transformation, job creation and regulatory capacity. Members raised questions about the extent to which the Bill advances black economic empowerment and broad-based economic participation, while also seeking clarity on how the legislation would balance economic development objectives with environmental obligations. Committee members further highlighted the need to ensure that regulatory authorities have the necessary capacity and resources to implement the provisions of the Bill effectively.

Commenting on the discussions, Ms Khanyase said, “The committee has benefited from a rich and constructive engagement involving a wide range of stakeholders. The perspectives shared have highlighted both the opportunities and challenges associated with the development of a gas economy, and these views will be carefully considered as we continue our deliberations.”

She added, “Our responsibility is to ensure that the legislation strikes an appropriate balance between energy security, economic growth, job creation and environmental sustainability. The committee remains committed to a transparent and inclusive process that takes into account the interests of all South Africans.'

The committee will now consider all submissions received during the public hearings and assess proposals for amendments to the Bill. Further deliberations on the legislation are scheduled to start on 18 August 2026, during which the committee will consider stakeholder inputs and determine the way forward.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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The Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources has said the impasse between Sogima Mining and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) has come at an economic and social cost to the affected community.

The committee is conducting an oversight visit in Mafikeng in North West Province. The visit is a continuation of the committee's commitment to resolving longstanding land and mining-related issues in the Madibeng area, following its initial oversight visit in March 2026.

During the March oversight, the committee engaged with various stakeholders, including Sogima Mining, the DMPR, the Black Mamba community and various government departments, about delays in relocating a community from mining land in Mooinooi Ward 27, Marikana, and the withdrawal of Sogima mining rights dating back to 2018.

At the centre of the dispute is the suspension of Sogima's blasting activities following complaints from community members residing within a 500-metre radius of the mine. Approximately 234 households are located within the affected area. Residents had raised concerns about alleged property damage, dust pollution and safety risks associated with mining operations.

In today's oversight engagement, the committee received presentations from the North West Department of Human Settlements, the DMPR, the Housing Development Agency, Madibeng Local Municipality and Sogima Mining.

The Department of Human Settlements noted that the government and its partners have invested approximately R49.2 million in infrastructure and services in the community, which includes electrification, water and sanitation projects, land acquisition and community facilities. The department also presented a relocation framework, indicating that relocating affected households could cost more than R76 million, excluding land acquisition and bulk infrastructure costs. The department concluded by recommending that the affected mining companies assume full financial responsibility of any future relocation process.

Responding to this input, committee members questioned both the costing model and the rationale behind shifting the financial burden onto mining company. Members maintained that portions of the expenditure highlighted in the presentation had been funded by entities other than government, including mining companies and Eskom, and sought clarity on how the figures had been calculated.

Department officials maintained that budget constraints and competing service delivery pressures limited the government's ability to fund further interventions.

The DMPR's Office of the Chief Mine Inspectorate explained that its primary obligation is to safeguard the health and safety of mine workers and communities affected by mining activities. The Inspectorate noted that the DMPR had consistently called for solutions that allow mining and residential activities to coexist.

The DMPR indicated that complaints about blasting activities had led to the withdrawal of Sogima's blasting permissions. It also noted that efforts to address the problem had focused on consultation processes, compliance measures and exploring alternative mining methods and blasting technologies.

However, committee members questioned why the matter remains unresolved years after the department first intervened in 2018. They queried whether Sogima is being treated differently from other mining operations facing similar complaints. The department confirmed that blasting permissions at other mines had also been suspended at various times, but stated that those matters were resolved through consultations and corrective measures agreed upon by affected parties.

Sogima in its presentation described its struggle to continue operating amid the prolonged suspension of blasting activities. Sogima said that the mine had acquired its mining rights legally, compensated affected residents for damages that were identified after blasting incidents and participated in numerous consultations over the years.

Sogima has also invested resources in seeking solutions, including investigations into relocation options and alternative technical approaches. Despite those efforts, the continued inability to blast has prevented the business from operating at intended capacity and this has limited employment creation and economic participation.

Throughout the engagement, committee members raised concerns about the economic implications of the deadlock, particularly for job creation and investment.

Committee Chairperson Mr Mpho Modise made it clear that Parliament's objective is not to revisit old arguments but to establish a practical path forward. The Chairperson stressed that the committee is determined to move beyond historical disagreements and focus on solutions. “The issue is no longer the department and Sogima. The issue is us and Sogima, because all of us here are representatives of government,” he said.

Mr Modise urged stakeholders to consider the lived realities of workers and families affected by the situation. “When we are seated tonight eating dinner, nicely sleeping, we must think about those people,” he said, referring to workers who would have not benefited from the mine's operations.

The Chairperson questioned whether enough had been done to find technical solutions that would enable mining to continue while reducing the impact on nearby residents. During discussions, it emerged that Sogima and the DMPR are due to meet to discuss revised blasting methodologies and alternative technologies designed to minimise vibration, dust and noise.

Mr Modise challenged stakeholders to accelerate those discussions, saying that the committee could not continue returning to the same matter without measurable progress. He also emphasised that the committee expects stakeholders to return with concrete proposals.

As deliberations concluded, Mr Modise directed the parties to continue engaging on the technical proposals and return with a clear way forward. He emphasised that the committee's ultimate goal is to balance community safety, regulatory obligations, employment creation and economic development.

The oversight visit continues today(13 August) at the North West Legislature Building.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

Water Security Africa Johannesburg takes place on 28 and 29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, co-located with the C&I Energy + Storage Summit, bringing together commercial and industrial water users, government, utilities, financiers and technology providers to address the pressures shaping South Africa's water future.

The newly launched 2026 programme responds to a growing imperative for South African businesses: moving from managing water risk to building long-term resilience. Ageing infrastructure, supply uncertainty, climate pressures, rising costs and regulatory change are increasing the operational and financial consequences of water insecurity.

Developed with input from the Water Security Africa Johannesburg Advisory Board, the programme places investment, implementation and practical solutions at its core. Discussions will explore how businesses can strengthen water security through alternative supply, water reuse and recycling, decentralised infrastructure, water stewardship and business continuity, while examining the partnerships needed to accelerate wider water-sector resilience.

Investment will be a major focus, with the programme examining how South Africa can develop bankable water projects, mobilise blended finance, strengthen public-private partnerships, reduce investment risk and build greater investor confidence in water infrastructure.

Technology and innovation will also feature prominently, with smart water systems, AI, digital twins, predictive analytics, digital asset management and real-time data demonstrating how organisations can improve efficiency, reduce losses and strengthen asset performance.

The programme will also examine the policy and regulatory conditions needed to accelerate implementation, from water-sector reform and licensing to governance and stronger government-industry collaboration. The implications of the National Water Amendment Bill for commercial and industrial water users will form part of this discussion.

Sector-focused conversations will explore water stewardship across food, beverage and agriculture, water-resilient buildings and precincts, and the growing opportunity to transform wastewater into a strategic resource through reuse, resource recovery and circular water systems.

The Water Security Africa Johannesburg 2026 programme has been developed with input from a cross-sector Advisory Board representing organisations including the South African Water Chamber NPC, Magalies Water, Department of Water and Sanitation, Glencore South Africa, Standard Bank, Thungela Mining, Dis-Chem and Webber Wentzel, who are helping to shape a programme grounded in the operational, regulatory and investment realities facing South Africa's commercial and industrial water users.

Ultimately, Water Security Africa Johannesburg 2026 moves the conversation beyond defining South Africa's water challenges to a more urgent question: what can be implemented, how can it be financed, and what will it take for industry, government and the water sector to deliver greater resilience at scale?

Water Security Africa is created by VUKA Group. For more information and to download the programme, visit: https://apo-opa.co/4wYAwpW  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

About the C&I Energy + Storage Summit:
The C&I Energy + Storage Summit brings together commercial and industrial energy users, solution providers, project developers, financiers, utilities and policymakers to explore practical strategies for energy security, cost management, renewable energy integration and energy storage. https://apo-opa.co/4xuONdO 

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations to information and each other across Africa's energy, mining, infrastructure, mobility, green economy and technology sectors via events, content and networking. It helps businesses navigate markets, build connections and achieve sustainable success. www.WeAreVUKA.com 

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The Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) on Wednesday called on the City of Matlosana and Ditsobotla Local Municipality to move beyond corrective plans and demonstrate measurable improvement in governance, financial management and service delivery.

This call follows a joint oversight engagement with the two North West municipalities to assess their progress on matters the committees have previously raised through parliamentary oversight, audit findings and investigations. Both municipalities were among the 69 municipalities whose July 2026 equitable share transfers were temporarily withheld by National Treasury as part of measures to enforce financial discipline.

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on COGTA, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said Parliament's focus is now on whether corrective measures are producing results. “What we now require is a report that demonstrates the impact of all the actions that are being taken,” he said.

The committees acknowledged the efforts of the Matlosana municipality to act on the concerns they raised previously but stressed that the municipality must now show that interventions are improving conditions in communities. The committees directed the municipality's leadership to provide them with updated and properly reconciled information on outstanding creditor obligations and payment arrangements with Eskom and Midvaal Water. This report must also outline the interest charges on the outstanding debt and whether debt-relief arrangements are making a difference. The committees also want to see evidence of improvement in revenue collection and the resolution of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure (UIFWE), procurement and contract management.

The leadership of Matlosana must further provide a report on sewage and water pollution, road maintenance and other service-delivery concerns, as well as outstanding discrepancies relating to infrastructure projects. The committees stated that they want to see actions taken against officials or politicians implicated in wrongdoing.

Another area of concern for the committees was Matlosana's reliance on consultants. Dr Mkhize indicated that the committees would like to receive from Matlosana a valid strategy to develop its internal capacity as opposed to outsourcing services that fall under the purview of Matlosana's administration. The 2024/25 municipal audit outcomes indicated that 225 of 257 municipalities used consultants to prepare their financial statements at a total cost of approximately R1.6 billion.

Ditsobotla has received disclaimer audit opinions for over ten years and is now subject to a national intervention in accordance with Section 139(7) due to ongoing failures related to governance, financial instability and failure to deliver services. The municipality is required to submit to Parliament a time-bound financial recovery plan, a programme to end the disclaimer audit outcome, an analysis of its debtor's book and a clearly defined programme to process and reduce the UIFWE. The analysis submitted by the municipality is expected to identify which funds are recoverable and irrecoverable. It must also explain how revenue collection will be enhanced.

The committees directed the municipality to provide a consolidated report on all investigations into allegations of impropriety, including procurement irregularities, which are currently being investigated. The report should indicate which cases have been referred for prosecution or to the Special Investigating Unit for investigation, their status as well as all the disciplinary actions that have been taken so far.

The committees agreed that the municipalities must share reports every quarter to all the relevant national, provincial and executive structures tasked with local government. This will enable all oversight structures to monitor the corrective programmes and their compliance with set performance indicators. “No municipality can turn around on its own. We have to do it together,” said Dr Mkhize.

“Parliament will not measure progress in terms of plans drawn up or the number of meetings convened but in terms of achievements on the ground,” he said. In the case of Matlosana, this means revenue collection must be improved, UIFW expenditure must be brought under control and there must be visible improvements in services such as water, sanitation and roads. As for Ditsobotla, it means improved governance as well as turnaround in financial management, by sanctioning those found guilty of wrongdoing and finally putting an end to the disclaimer audit.

The Chairperson of SCOPA, Mr Songezo Zibi, agreed and said that the joint oversight should ensure that findings and investigations lead to action. “This joint oversight must ensure that we close the loop between audit findings, investigations and consequence management. We cannot in future continue to have poor audit findings and our communities suffering with no action being taken. The committees will be looking into this matter, and we expect to see improvement in audit findings, internal control systems and service delivery,” said Mr Zibi. “The committees will track these commitments, and we expect measurable improvement in audit outcomes, financial controls and service delivery.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business (CACB) (www.CanadaAfrica.ca) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chambre de Commerce Canada Côte d'Ivoire (CCCACI).

The MoU, signed on August 6, establishes a framework for collaboration, event reciprocity, and joint initiatives, and extends the full benefits of CACB membership to the CCCACI. It reflects the shared commitment of both organizations — and of Canada — to strengthening economic and commercial ties between Canada and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, building on previous MoUs signed during ministerial visits, which have resulted in private sector-led missions to African markets for participation in Canada-Africa Business Conferences that welcome hundreds of delegates.

The signing coincides with the first visit to Côte d'Ivoire by the Honourable Anita Anand, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs. In their joint statement (https://apo-opa.co/4xJpjtz) of August 6, 2026, Minister Anand and Her Excellency Ms. Nialé Kaba, Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of State and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, committed to further encouraging partnerships between the Canadian and Ivorian private sectors, noting that bilateral trade reached a record Can$1.2 billion in 2025. The Chamber's MoU advances precisely that objective, and supports Canada's trade diversification agenda and Africa Strategy through private sector collaboration.

The MoU comes ahead of Africa Accelerating (https://apo-opa.co/45YptRO) in Canada, the Chamber's flagship gathering, which looks forward to welcoming delegations from across the continent, on October 6-7, 2026, in Toronto, including members and messages of Chambre de Commerce Canada Côte d'Ivoire (CCCACI).

As Canada and Côte d'Ivoire deepen trade ties under the newly signed MOU, Chamber members continue to drive the business-led growth that enables accelerated trade and investment: “Storspay (www.Storspay.com) is solving the payments side of the corridor,” says Founder & CEO Dr. Sam Alonge (Techstars NYC, Inc. 500 Founders 2025), who will address Africa Accelerating 2026. “Storspay provides cross-border payroll and supplier payments for North American businesses paying teams across Africa, delivered the same day in local currency. Now live in 15 corridors, including Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon, Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso, as well as Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and South Africa.”

Quote — Garreth Bloor, President, Canada-Africa Chamber of Business

“This partnership with the Chambre de Commerce Canada Côte d'Ivoire reflects the growing momentum between our two countries. As governments work on enabling environments for trade and investment, we focus on the private sector's role — in this case by extending the full benefits of our membership to the CCCACI. We are creating concrete channels for trade, investment, and business collaboration that members on both sides of the Atlantic can act on.”

Quote — Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board, Canada-Africa Chamber of Business

“The strength of this partnership rests on a community of committed private-sector champions. We are especially grateful to our headline sponsor, Elephant Trade-Services, whose work supports the Chamber's mission of accelerating trade and investment between Canada and Africa. Agreements like our MoU with the Chambre de Commerce Canada Côte d'Ivoire — backed by the innovation of members such as Storspay — turn that shared commitment into concrete opportunity for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

Media Officer: 
The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business
Tel: +1.647.945.4119
Email: garreth@canadaafrica.ca
20 Bloor Street East,
Yorkville RPO, PO Box 75130
Toronto, ON M4W 3T3  

About the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business:
The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business is an independent association active across African markets and in Canada, dedicated to accelerating trade, business, and investment through world-class networking and information-sharing events. Learn more at CanadaAfrica.ca