Environmental groups ‘disappointed’ after court sides with Shell over seismic blasting

The High Court in Makhanda on Friday dismissed an urgent application by environmental groups to block Shell from proceeding with a seismic survey off the ecologically sensitive coast.

Judge Avinash Govindjee ruled in favour of Shell, saying he was not convinced there is cause to fear "irreparable harm" if an urgent interdict was not granted.

Greenpeace Africa spokesperson Happy Khambule says the blasting will destroy precious biodiverse ecosystems and livelihoods of local communities.

“We will continue to support the nationwide resistance against Shell and pursue the legal avenue to stop Shell. We must do everything we can to undo the destructive colonial legacy of extractivism, until we live in a world where people and the planet come before the profits of toxic fossil fuel companies.”

Meanwhile, Natural Justice executive director Pooven Moodley says the judge failed to recognise the urgency of the interdict and the threat to the environment.

“Our fight to safeguard the Wild Coast is not over, and our bigger struggle for climate justice, and to resist oil and gas drilling in South Africa and across the entire continent is far from over. As activists, civil society and lawyers, we cannot relax - the climate crisis is upon us, and fossil fuel companies accelerating the crisis are posing a serious threat to the planet, our livelihoods, human rights and very existence. We will fight them on the beaches and in court,” says Moodley.

Border Deep Sea Angling Association’s says John Luef says the fight will continue.

“We are extremely disappointed with the outcome of this hearing. This is not the end, we will continue to fight for our local people, their heritage and the environment. We call on South Africans to stand together and protest this invasive and environmentally harmful seismic survey, as well as any future mining plans.”

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