Greenwashing, dubious deals and secrecy: the dark underbelly of South Africa’s oil sector

An Open Secrets report raises the alarm about the way in which oil companies do business. Yet in South Africa, these companies have had a steadfast champion in mining minister Gwede Mantashe.

Currency |By Rob Rose

South Africa’s just energy transition is at risk of being torpedoed by murky deals and a flawed energy plan being driven by mineral and petroleum resources minister Gwede Mantashe.

This is one of the findings of a new 73-page report released by non-profit group Open Secrets, which lays bare how oil giants manipulate policymakers and the public to ensure they score plum exploration rights.

“Their track records should ring alarm bells for all in South Africa,” the report says, highlighting that the largest five firms – Shell, TotalEnergies, BP, ExxonMobil and Chevron – spent R13.4bn per year globally on climate lobbying and greenwashing strategies between 2019 and 2022.