Speaker, the ANC welcomes the recent good work done by the Department of Energy in attending to allegations of corruption in the Petroleum, Oil and Gas Corporation of SA, PetroSA, through the Central Energy Fund, CEF, and is equally appalled by the alleged unsavoury conduct by officials of a company, whom the Portfolio Committee on Energy was gradually supporting, albeit with caution.
This, once again, displays that the ANC-led government has the will to root out corruption, notwithstanding the difficulty in doing so. It is worth mentioning that this matter still has to be fully concluded. Therefore, making any sweeping statements at this stage may be risky and unjustified.
The ANC has been closely monitoring developments in both the CEF and PetroSA, neither blowing a trumpet nor frivolously seeking any other form of vote-catching publicity. Due to the probing approach initiated by the Portfolio Committee on Energy, it was obvious that the rot would be uncovered within the CEF.
The ANC also expresses its confidence in Dr Mthembi-Mahanyele - the current chairperson of the CEF - for the leadership displayed during such trying times. This admirable initiative serves to put the CEF on a firmer platform in its restructuring drive, as do the efforts in growing PetroSA into a formidable national petrochemical company.
In conclusion, the ANC will give a full response once a final report is provided by the Central Energy Fund.
Ndiyabulela ilali. [Thank you.] [Applause.]