South Africa Democratic Alliance’s federal congress withdraws fracking resolution

South Africa Democratic Alliance’s federal congress withdraws fracking resolution by Nickolaus Bauer, November 25, 2012, The Mail and Guardian
“By show of hands, we have a majority and the withdrawal carries. The resolution will be withdrawn,” DA federal chairperson Wilmot James told delegates in Boksburg on Sunday. The congress originally resolved to change the party’s stance on the process from opposing to supporting fracking. The withdrawal of the resolution means the DA’s original stance of being fundamentally against fracking until stringent control measures were put in place remains. … Western Cape minister of transport and public works Robin Carlisle told the congress earlier in the day: “Fracking must happen, but … in a responsible way.” While resolution 24 originally proposed no fracking until certain conditions were met, it was changed to the party being in full support of the process provided conditions were met. This move by the opposition party followed a September decision by Cabinet to drop a moratorium placed on the process.
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“This government has a terrible record of economic and environmental stewardship.” [Emphasis added]