Community voices 'ignored' in Shell's exploration rights extension process

SUSTAINING the Wild Coast (SWC) NPC claims Shell and Impact Africa will be allowed to ignore community voices in their exploration rights extension process and the current litigation before the Constitutional Court.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

Yesterday, the Constitutional Court heard arguments on whether the Supreme Court of Appeal’s (SCA) order suspending the setting aside of an exploration right was just and equitable. Judgment was reserved.

According to the marine conservation body SWC and other applicants, they were denied their right to be heard in the consultation process.

The group argued that Shell cannot simply dismiss local interests – which includes a spiritual and cultural connection to the ocean – while pursuing its seismic survey application to explore for gas and oil reserves along the Wild Coast.

They further submitted that the order by the SCA was “vague”.

At the SCA, the court suspended a high court order which set aside an exploration right and its subsequent renewals pending the outcome of a third application for the renewal of that exploration right.