Slapp-down – activists cheer ConCourt ruling on ‘abusive’ defamation cases brought by corporations

‘Everything is linked to money’ – lawyers discuss Mantashe’s upcoming appeal against Shell oil and gas exploration ruling

In a Daily Maverick webinar, environmental lawyer Cormac Cullinan and human rights lawyer Pooven Moodley discuss how, when it comes to mining, the South African government prioritises profit over people and the planet.

Slapp suit judgment paves way to shutting the door on Stalingrad tactics

The Constitutional Court judgment on Slapp suits reminds us that there may be ways to curtail the practice whereby well-resourced political actors implicated in corruption and other unlawful or unethical behaviour (often abetted by ethically tainted lawyers) make use of the ‘Stalingrad strategy’ to delay or even completely avoid accountability for their actions.

SLAPP suit consideration by ConCourt against Aussie miners a win for civil society

Activists claiming the mining company were trying to silence them are now amending their plea.

Concourt hands critics of Australian mine partial victory – but defamation battle is not over

It is up to Parliament to develop more comprehensive SLAPP suit defence, says court

Villagers Brace for Another Displacement. This Time, It’s for Coal.

Residents of western Zimbabwe worry they will be displaced without adequate compensation and protection. Some have been through this before.

Element Africa: Keeping platinum in the ground, and minors out of mines

South Africa approves platinum mine despite community concerns GA-NGWEPE, South Africa — South Africa’s minister of mineral resources and energy has approved a platinum mine in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, underneath the homes of about 500 rural people in Ga-Ngwepe, Limpopo province. On Oct. 13, Minister Gwede Mantashe rejected an appeal by the farming community […]

Why public consultation is the Achilles heel of SA’s fossil fuel ambitions

By Lisa Steyn It was not so long ago that an oil or gas discovery was a reason to rejoice for all the economic benefits it would bring to a country. It’s since become a matter of fierce contestation between those in favour of fossil fuel development and those concerned with the potential impact on … Continue reading

Local communities are guaranteed to be heard in licensing of oil and gas activities

By Phindile Masangane SA has vast oil and gas potential, which can restore energy security, catalyse economic growth and create and sustain a significant number of jobs. The Petroleum Agency SA (Pasa) estimates that there are about 9-billion barrels of oil and about 60-trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of gas offshore of the country. A mere … Continue reading

Mabola coalition back in court to prevent coal mining in protected area

IMMEDIATE RELEASE On 18-19 October 2022, a coalition of environmental justice organisations, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER),