Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the Ksar Zaatar neighborhood in western Nabatieh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The tower destroyed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza includes media offices, including Al Mayadeen's bureau.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7

Ecological victory: South Africa bans Shell from drilling oil, gas

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 2 Sep 2022 10:19
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

A Makhanda court upholds a ban on Royal Dutch Shell's environmentally harmful drilling of oil and gas off the South African coast.

  • x
  • Hundreds of people protesting in Muizenberg, Cape Town, against Shell on December 5, 2021. (Ashraf Hendricks)
    Hundreds of people protesting in Muizenberg, Cape Town, against Shell on December 5, 2021. (Ashraf Hendricks)

A South African court in Makhanda upheld a ban on Shell using seismic waves to explore oil and gas off the coast engulfed by the Indian Ocean. In late December, a South African court halted oil giant Shell's seismic testing for oil and gas along the country's eastern coastline, pending a final ruling, which was reached today. 

Many South Africans have been protesting since late 2021 against Shell's offshore activities, arguing that seismic waves would cause significant damage to marine life and the environment, harming local communities which have lived off and relied on the sea for centuries. The 250km stretch of coastline in Eastern Cape Province is known for its natural beauty and rich ecosystem.

The court's decision marks a significant victory for environmentalists and communities who have been vocal against the exploration, citing its detrimental impacts on whales, dolphins, seals and more. 

Press release: Communities celebrate as Court sets aside Shell’s exploration right off the Wild Coast of South Africa ✊🌿🐟

Thank you to the communities and partner NGOs for their incredible commitment to this case. https://t.co/y9n2gNJK8E pic.twitter.com/GEyTkUv0Er

— Natural Justice (@naturaljustice) September 1, 2022

Related News

Shell greenlights Vito oil field water injection to boost output

South Africans Protest against Oil Exploration

The court ruled that the 2014 decision which gives corporations the right for the “exploration of oil and gas in the Transkei and Algoa exploration areas is reviewed and set aside."

Civil rights organizations as well as environmentalist organizations applauded the decision, celebrating outside the courthouse after the verdict was announced, according to local media.

A Royal Dutch Shell spokesperson said that the company "respect[s] the court's decision" and would review it to "determine our next steps," not revealing whether they will appeal the decision or not. 

Reeling in the government's opinion regarding Shell's plans to drill oil, South Africa's Ministry of Energy supported the plan and slammed opposers, deeming them obstructive to the country's development. 

In late December, a South African court halted oil giant Shell's seismic testing for oil and gas along the country's eastern coastline. Shell, in response, withdrew its vessel - ironically named the Amazon Warrior.

"As coastal communities, we have relied on the sea for centuries - and we are glad that the judge has recognized that our ocean livelihoods must not be sacrificed for short-term profit," said local campaigner Nonhle Mbuthuma.

  • Royal Dutch Shell
  • South Africa
  • Shell
STOP THE HEAT: A Climate Change Coverage

STOP THE HEAT: A Climate Change Coverage

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during the inauguration of a monument in China's honor on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Maduro warns of threats, urges 'battle for truth' to defend Venezuela

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Politics

Netanyahu informed Trump before deadly attack in Doha: Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, during Rubio's visit, in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Monday, September 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu warns of Israeli isolation, calls to boost self-reliance

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide
Politics

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS