Parliament, Friday, 28 November 2025 – The portfolio committees on Trade, Industry and Competition, Transport, Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Electricity and Energy, and Defence and Military Veterans called for an inclusive and secure petroleum industry.
Today, the committees engaged with stakeholders over the Section 79 directive for the renewal of 25-year leases at the Transnet Island View Precinct (IVP) in Durban.
This meeting followed a series of engagements prompted by concerns from industry players about the impact of the directive issued by the Minister of Transport, Ms Barbara Creecy, to renew the leases under Section 79 of the National Ports Act. Today, the committees engaged the beneficiaries of the directive.
The IVP is a key facility for South Africa’s fuel imports and storage, enabling the supply of the bulk of its fuel requirements. The Minister’s directive has elicited concerns from several industry stakeholders, particularly black traders. Black traders, who have the technical capacity and the balance sheet to operate at the IVP, have raised concerns about the renewed leases. They alleged that the lease extension could limit their access to critical storage infrastructure controlled by foreign-owned oil companies and reinforce existing market dominance. This will delay efforts to diversify ownership and management within the sector.
Their core concerns were the lack of transformation within the petroleum industry, barriers to entry for new players, and security of supply. Stakeholders also questioned fairness and transparency of the process, noting that consultation with key government and private players had been insufficient.
Oil plays a critical role in economic growth, security operations, and overall societal stability, and it is therefore critical for the government to ensure an uninterrupted supply at affordable prices. However, the committees have emphasised that while security of oil and fuel supply is critical, this must not be at the expense of economic transformation and maintaining sufficient fuel stocks for defence and emergency purposes.
The committees welcomed the collaboration between the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) and the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to develop a Third-Party Access Framework for fuel infrastructure. This framework will outline how third parties can access key fuel facilities, the allocation of capacity, and the procedures for monitoring, dispute resolution, compliance, and enforcement.
The committees emphasised that the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) access to strategic fuel infrastructure must be secured. Consideration should be given to the inclusion of Ambrose Park and capacity for SANDF within the port limits.
The committees highlighted the slow pace of transformation, with specific emphasis on creating opportunities for black ownership and new entrants, such as reserving the four identified sites under the Section 56 process for these participants. However, the committees were of the view that a Section 79 process should be considered to reserve these sites for black traders to promote fairness and ensure genuine empowerment within the sector. In addition, international norms and standards for port management and operation should be considered for the IVP.
The committees emphasised that this process is to promote collaboration between government and industry to create a more inclusive, secure, and competitive fuel logistics system for the future.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Mzwandile Masina reiterated the need for an inclusive, transformed fuel sector that secures the country’s energy future while safeguarding national interests. “South Africa must protect its security of supply, advance transformation, and defend its sovereignty,” he said.
As the process moves forward, the committees will submit a report with recommendations to the Executive for the National Assembly’s consideration.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION, MR MZWANDILE MASINA, THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, MR DONALD SELAMOLELA, CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES, MR MIKATEKO MAHLAULE, CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS, MR DAVID DAKOTA AND THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY, MS NONKOSI MVANA.
For media enquiries, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Ms Faith Ndenze
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 377 0686
Email: fndenze@parliament.gov.za
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