Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says South Africa should import oil from Russia.
He made the remark during a debate on the rising cost of fuel in Parliament on Wednesday.
The debate comes as the country's hit by continuous fuel price increases over the past few months due to the high international oil price, which has been driven by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Mantashe said while the government is working to improve the local oil industry, importing crude oil is a viable option.
"I was talking to the chairperson of the portfolio committee and told him we should consider importing crude oil from Russia at a low price because it is not sanctioned. Of all the sanctions, there are no sanctions against crude oil.
"Currently, we are not having our own oil except the limited one by Sasol. The other point that we should work together on, is to allow the exploration of gas and oil on our land. There is plenty of it and if every time when we are taken to court because we are doing exploration, we must get the support of the country," he said.
"The oil that was discovered in Namibia stretches through the Northern Cape side, so the Northern Cape is likely to provide oil in the future provided we go through our long court case.
Mantashe added: "We will give it to anybody who wants to do exploration and want to do developments because I am not a prisoner of the white monopoly capital theory. I want development, I want petroleum, I want gas in South Africa."
He warned against the growing trend of mixing diesel and paraffin at petrol stations.
"Those who mix diesel with paraffin and sell to unsuspecting customers must stop this practice. It is illegal. Service stations found with adulterated diesel will face immediate closure and prosecution."
(JacarandaFM)
