A South African high court has overturned government approval for a controversial offshore oil and gas drilling project, marking a pivotal win for environmental groups and coastal communities. The Western Cape High Court ruled on August 13 that the environmental authorization granted to TotalEnergies EP South Africa (Teepsa) for exploration in Block 5/6/7 off the South-West Coast was unlawful, citing flawed risk assessments and insufficient public consultation. The project, which Shell is poised to take over, must now undergo rigorous reevaluation before any drilling can proceed.
Judge Kate Mangcu-Lockwood’s decision followed a legal challenge by nonprofits The Green Connection and Natural Justice, which argued that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) neglected critical factors, including the potential devastation of a major oil spill on coastal livelihoods, climate impacts, and compliance with coastal protection laws. The court found that emergency response plans for spills were concealed from public scrutiny until after approval, depriving communities of input on risks to fisheries, tourism, and marine ecosystems.
“This ruling reinforces that environmental rights are not theoretical—they have teeth,” said Shahil Singh, legal advisor for The Green Connection. He emphasized that the court’s order compels TotalEnergies and Shell to conduct new studies, disclose contingency plans, and assess transboundary risks to Namibia, alongside broader public engagement. The judgment also mandates analysis of the project’s full lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global calls to scrutinize fossil fuel investments amid climate crises.
For coastal residents, the decision validates longstanding concerns. Small-scale fishers and tourism operators, who rely on unpolluted waters, argued that the original approval ignored their economic vulnerabilities. “The law now sides with those demanding accountability,” said Liziwe McDaid, The Green Connection’s strategic lead. She noted the precedent set for neighboring nations, as cross-border environmental harm must now be factored into South Africa’s approvals.
The ruling amplifies a trend of legal pushback against offshore fossil fuel projects in the region. In 2022, Shell faced similar setbacks over seismic surveys along the Wild Coast. Melissa Groenink-Groves of Natural Justice called the latest judgment a “blueprint” for challenging projects that prioritize corporate interests over ecological and community welfare. “Companies can no longer cut corners or silence dissent under the guise of development,” she stated.
TotalEnergies must now submit revised assessments addressing socio-economic risks, climate impacts, and compliance with South Africa’s Integrated Coastal Management Act. Public consultations will precede any renewed approval process. Legal representatives for the environmental groups, including law firm Cullinan & Associates, hailed the decision as a alignment of national law with international environmental safeguards.
The case underscores growing tensions between resource extraction and environmental justice in Africa, where coastal nations balance economic development with biodiversity and climate commitments. As courts increasingly demand transparency, the ruling signals that communities—and ecosystems—have a legally enforceable stake in such decisions.
