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South Africa: Battle Between Small-Scale Fishers and Oil Giants a Prelude to Greater Environmental Struggle #AfricaClimateCrisis
allAfrica, 3 June 2022
The David and Goliath battle of climate activists against plans by Shell has resumed in South Africa. The case, which in February 2022 saw the High Court in Makhanda dismiss… Read more »
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South Africa: This Fight Isn't Over, Activists Warn As Court Hears Case Against Shell's Quest for Wild Coast Gas
Daily Maverick, 30 May 2022
Civil society protests outside the Gqeberha High Court while lawyers fight to have Shell's exploration right reviewed. Read more »
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South Africa: Court Bid to Stop Seismic Survey Starts
GroundUp, 30 May 2022
Shell's attempt to explore for oil and gas off the Wild Coast was interdicted late last year pending the outcome of this hearing Read more »
South African Small-Scale Fishers Resume Battle Against Oil Giant
The David and Goliath battle of climate activists against plans by Shell has resumed in South Africa. The case, which in February 2022 saw the High Court in Makhanda dismiss the oil giant and Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe's application for leave to appeal a ruling that temporarily halted a seismic survey off the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape province, is significant as its outcome will determine the wellbeing of South Africa's ocean environment and the livelihoods of rural Eastern Cape communities.
It also determines where the nation will take its fight against climate change, coming in the wake of deadly floods in KwaZulu-Natal attributed to the current climate crisis and an announcement there are no plans for the nation to discontinue the use of coal as part of the country's energy mix. Between May 30 and June 1 2022, three judges in the High Court in Gqeberha heard arguments about whether to review and set aside a decision by the department of mineral resources and energy to award a seismic exploration right to the petroleum giant.
After the hearing, Natural Justice - a non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection indigenous peoples and local communities' rights - held a webinar to reflect on the case and what kind of action would be needed to address possible outcomes.
InFocus
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The Minister of Minerals and Mining Gwede Mantashe and oil giant Shell has had no joy from the Makhanda High Court which ruled that the interim interdict that was issued in ... Read more »
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Environmental activists are preparing for another legal battle against a planned seismic survey. This comes less than a month after the Makhanda High Court granted an interdict ... Read more »
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An interdict against seismic scanning by oil giant Shell has been granted by the Grahamstown High Court in Makhanda, Read more »
Representatives of civic organisations and local communities picketed on Monday outside the High Court where the case to have Shell’s seismic survey rights was heard.
