{"id":298566,"date":"2026-03-25T14:40:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T12:40:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/weslander\/?p=298566"},"modified":"2026-03-31T15:09:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T13:09:33","slug":"high-court-reserves-judgment-on-totalenergies-west-coast-drilling-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/weslander\/high-court-reserves-judgment-on-totalenergies-west-coast-drilling-case\/","title":{"rendered":"High court reserves judgment on TotalEnergies West Coast drilling case"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CAPE TOWN <\/strong>– The Western Cape High Court on Tuesday (24 March) concluded hearings in a significant environmental case challenging TotalEnergies’ authorisation for ultra-deep-water oil and gas exploration off South Africa’s West Coast, with judgment reserved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Green Connection, Natural Justice, and Aukotowa Primary Fishing Co-operative argued that the approval process for drilling in the Deep Western Orange Basin (DWOB) was unlawful and inconsistent with constitutional and environmental obligations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They sought to overturn both the director-general’s original decision and the minister’s dismissal of their appeals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The case, heard by a full bench over two days, stems from the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources’ decision on 23 October 2023 to grant TotalEnergies environmental authorisation for the ultra-deep-water exploration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Appeals by the applicants and five other parties were subsequently dismissed by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Small-scale fishers and coastal community members gather outside the Western Cape High Court, calling for the overturning of TotalEnergies’ deep-water drilling authorisation in the DWOB. Demonstrators emphasised the risks to marine ecosystems, livelihoods, and food security.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unprecedented conditions raise concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Neville van Rooy, The Green Connection’s outreach ambassador, highlighted the unique challenges posed by the project, saying the Deep-Water Orange Basin (DWOB) presents conditions unlike anything South Africa has ever faced \u2013 both in water depth and technical complexity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) simply did not deal with these heightened risks. We believe that the law supports the rights of small-scale fishers who are already on the frontline of climate impacts,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community mobilisation shows opposition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nearly 100 small-scale fishers and coastal community members held a peaceful but spirited demonstration outside the Western Cape High Court ahead of the hearing, supported by environmental justice organisations and civil society groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separate solidarity actions were organised across parts of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walter Steenkamp from the Aukotowa Fisheries Co-operative in Port Nolloth said communities along the West Coast are already dealing with declining fish stocks and climate change impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Our livelihoods depend on the ocean . . . the approval process ignored our lived realities and the warnings we have repeatedly raised.<\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

“Yet the State failed to meaningfully assess how this project will affect our livelihoods, food security, cultural heritage, and constitutional rights \u2013 effectively prioritising corporate interests over vulnerable fishing communities. Our livelihoods depend on the ocean. We have the right to be heard and the right to a healthy environment. But the approval process ignored our lived realities and the warnings we have repeatedly raised. We are hopeful that the Court will recognise the seriousness of these failures,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n