The P for petroleum in MPRDA – the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act – is heading for an unbundling. Invariably honoured in the breach, mining’s dominance always took centre stage. Along came the MPRDA Amendment Bill of 2013 and suddenly petroleum was awakened from its slumber. It was then taken to the other extreme and became the tail wagging the dog. These aberrations have been noted by Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, who received across-the-board applause last week when he said that the Amendment Bill would be ditched, and petroleum would be given a legislative framework of its own. Let’s hope there is not another five-year delay.