ON NOVEMBER 10, the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) and its affiliate organisations held a peaceful protest outside Sapref in Prospecton to mark 30 years since the execution of Nigerian environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and eight other activists.

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The Nigerian government executed Saro-Wiwa and his colleagues for speaking out against the devastating environmental destruction caused by Shell’s operations in the Niger Delta. SDCEA’s co-ordinator, Desmond D’Sa, said their struggle exposed how fossil fuel companies prioritised profits over people.

“Ken Saro-Wiwa’s courage reminds us that the fight for environmental justice is far from over. Thirty years later, we see the same injustices in South Durban, our beloved continent of Africa and the world over, communities poisoned by pollution, livelihoods threatened, and corporations escaping accountability,” said D’Sa.

SDCEA’s call to action during the protest was for Shell to publicly acknowledge and remediate the environmental damage caused in South Durban, and establish a trust fund to support communities suffering from pollution-related health problems such as asthma and cancer.

D’Sa also said Shell should decommission the refinery’s infrastructure responsibly and restore contaminated land and water sources.

“Shell should also commit to a just transition toward renewable, community-owned energy systems that protect people and the planet. It is time for corporations like Shell to stop green-washing and start cleaning up,” D’Sa added.

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