On the eve of Shell’s controversial 3D seismic survey off the sensitive Wild Coast of South Africa, a group of environmental and human rights organisations have filed an urgent court application to stop the petroleum giant in its tracks.
The applicants, who are being represented by law firm Cullinan & Associates, are the Border Deep Sea Angling Association, the Kei Mouth Ski Boat Club, Natural Justice and Greenpeace Africa.
On Monday night, they filed an urgent “interim-interim” interdict in the Eastern Cape division of the high court to stop Shell from embarking on its months-long seismic testing between Morgans Bay and Port St Johns, which is due to begin on Wednesday.
In a joint statement, the applicants said the commencement of the seismic exploration activities was “prima facie unlawful until Shell has applied for, and obtained” the necessary environmental authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act.
“We also believe that the decision-making process amounts to unjust administrative action since interested and affected parties were not informed of the granting of the exploration right nor given an opportunity to appeal it. The public were also not notified of the two applications to renew the exploration right.”
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Urgent interdict filed to block Shell’s Wild Coast seismic survey