This follows after the department published the draft regulations pertaining to the exploration and production of onshore oil and gas, requiring hydraulic fracturing, under the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998, earlier this month.

The Executive Director for SAFCEI, Francesca de Gasparis, told OFM News that the amendments are very vague and provide no clear path of the legal framework fracking and exploration companies need to follow in order to operate on the mainland of South Africa. She further added that the amendments do not provide water users the platform to express their concerns over accessible and affordable drinking water.

According to De Gasparis, the Karoo, which is a place of interest for oil and gas explorers, is a water scarce environment. Such projects will have a devastating effect on groundwater and the environment, which will have a knock-on effect on farmers and other users.

Spokesperson of the DFFE, Albi Modise, has alluded that proposed amendments to fracking regulations – published by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment  – are not part of the Act at the moment. These regulations have been published for public scrutiny with the purpose of shaping the final amendments. Modise encourages anyone to share their views in order to sharpen and shape the new regulations.

According to a statement issued by the DFFE, the proposed publication pertaining to hydraulic fracturing will be supported by two documents. The first document is said to focus on the environmental requirements for exploration, and the second document - titled “The Minimum Information Requirement for the Submission of Applications for the Authorisation, Right, Permit or Licence for Onshore Exploration and Production of Oil and Gas Utilising Hydraulic Fracturing” - will consider the actual impacts for hydraulic fracturing.

The proposed regulations were released on 13 July 2022 and members of the public were given 45 days to comment and make written submissions on the proposed regulations and minimum requirements.

OFM News/Bambatha Giko