Yesterday’s High Court judgement is a benchmark one for the nation, marine justice and the Oceans Not Oil movement, for which we are indebted to the bravery and fortitude of Sustaining the Wild Coast together with the Dwesa-Cwebe Communal Property Association, fishermen – Ntsindiso Nongcavu (Port St Johns), Sazise Maxwell Pekayo and Cameron Thorpe (Kei Mouth) – Amadiba traditional leader and healer Mashona Wetu Dlamini, All Rise Attorneys, Greenpeace Africa, Natural Justice and Cullinan and Associates

You as signatory to this petition (with 454 219 signatures), played a role in this victory, joining beach protests and boycotting Shell stations and Tsogo Sun venues, all of which engaged ministers and popped the issue into the political and international media realm.

This case is testament to a united campaign and legal strategy. Not only does it give us hope, but due to its masterful strategy much novel and imperative was brought before the court, impelling three judges to hear the case -  Judge President Selby Mbenenge, Judge Zamani Nhlangulela and Judge Thandi Norman. They pronounced Shell and Impact Oil’s exploration right for oil and gas, which culminated in the need to conduct a seismic survey along the South East coast of South Africa, unlawful.

The ruling, written by Judge Mbenenge, made clear that Minister of Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, had opposed the review “associating himself with Impact Africa and Shell”.

Of the utmost importance this case recognises the key role of the ocean to livelihoods and the right to food security; the embedded spiritual and cultural connections of South Africans to the sea; that climate change impacts and considerations were not taken into account; that chiefs and kings do not have a legal right to speak for their communities; that the entire ocean community including the marine environment and animals needs consideration under the Intergrated Coastal Management system. Setting aside the exploration permits with costs means that if Shell and Impact Oil and Gas start over again they risk the wrath of a South African community well aware of the damage they’re intent on doing and who will fight them every step of the way. 

Once again our thanks for your solidarity. Please stay updated, and involved because every voice counts, with all offshore applications on the Oceans Not Oil website blog : https://oceansnotoil.org/blog/