Climatechangenews.com
Greenpeace Africa says the decision to allow oil giant Shell to continue with its plans to destroy the Wild Coast is very disappointing.
The organisation's Senior Climate and Energy Campaign Manager, Happy Khambule, was reacting to the Grahamstown High Court dismissing an urgent application, with costs, to block Shell from proceeding with the Wild Coast seismic survey.
Judge Avinash Govindjee ruled on Friday that he was not convinced that there is cause to fear "irreparable harm" if an urgent interdict was not granted.
The application to halt the seismic survey had been brought on behalf of Border Deep Sea Angling Association, Kei Mouth Ski Boat Club, Natural Justice and Greenpeace Africa.
Khambule said in a statement that not only would the blasting destroy precious biodiverse ecosystems, but it will also destroy the livelihoods of local communities, all in the name of profit.
The unsuccessful Applicants also stated that they would be discussing the judgment with their legal advisers with a view to deciding whether or not to apply for leave to appeal.
In the interim, they say they will be doing all they can to support the application made on Thursday 2 December on behalf of Wild Coast communities and two civil society organisations working in the area who are seeking to interdict the seismic surveys on the basis that Shell does not have an environmental authorisation to undertake them.
This application is due to be heard in the same court on Tuesday 7 December.
Meanwhile, the Amadiba Crisis Committee says its communities on the Wild Coast will be marching against Shell on Sunday 5 December from the Mnyameni river mouth at 09h00.
Committee member Nonhle Mbuthuma confirmed that they will also be bringing a court application against Shell, also based on the lack of environmental authorization, on Tuesday 14 December.
Several other protests are also being planned across the Province on Sunday.
