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1 November 2019 Your FREE Caxton Local Newspaper - www.bereamail.co.za THERE’S a groundswell of opposition to the drilling of exploration oil wells off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) with the South Durban Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), led by Desmond D’Sa challenging the authorisation granted by the Deparment of Mineral Resources (DMR) to foreign mining giants Eni and SASOL, permitting them to drill six exploration wells at two deep sea locations off KZN's coast. Speaking on their appeal, D’Sa said there was no consideration taken into account of how this exploration will affect the lives of millions of people who use the ocean. “KwaZulu-Natal has over 12 000 fi shers who depend on the ocean for a livelihood, a booming tourism and recreational industry whose source of income depends on the ocean. Our ocean has rich marine biodiversity many of which are endangered and run the risk of extinction. The public participation was inadequate and not meaningful as it failed to inform various communities along the entire coastline of KwaZulu-Natal,” he said. According to D’Sa, the public participation meetings only took place in Durban, Richards Bay and Port Shepstone, areas, he said, which did not represent the entire coastline. “It is evident that oil rigs have dire consequences on the environment and marine life. In the case of the Deepwater Horizon accident in 2010, more than 200 million gallons of crude oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico killing 11 workers and destroying an abundance of marine life. “The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance together with many coastal communities of KwaZulu-Natal will be appealing this decision. The ocean belongs to the people of South Africa, and we should have a say in what happens to it. And we say no to oil A typical offshore oil and rig platform that local conservationists and community groups are fi ghting against. In August, Eni-SASOL were and gas,” he said. given the go-ahead by the Department of Mineral Resources to drill up to six exploration oil wells at two deep sea locations offshore of More on page 2 KwaZulu-Natal. 2 Friday, 1 November 2019 SAINT Giles NPO for the Disabled is inviting the FRESH from the Hilton Arts Festival, A MAN, who had been shot in the back, collapsed public to support its Christmas Giving Tree as the Thanks for the Melodies will be behind the wheel of his vehicle on Alpine Road, as festive season approaches. performed on Saturday, 9 and Sunday, 10 he tried to drive himself to hospital. The public can get involved by donating one November. Garrith Jamieson said Rescue Care Paramedics can of food, wrapped in a R10 note, which will Anthony Stonier and Karen Campbell- received the call just after 11pm on Saturday. help build the giving tree. Gillies, delight in this intimate musical Karen Campbell-Gillies and Anthony He said the man had sustained a gunshot wound to All tins will be gifted to staff and the R10 revue that will spark memories and Stonier. his back and was in a serious condition. donation will go into the Saint Giles charity kitty. remember melodies. “Advanced life support was needed to stabilise the If you can help, contact either Brenda or Shows at 6.15pm for 7pm on 9 Seats limited. Cost is R150. To book, man before rushing him to hospital,” he said. Vaneshiri on 031 337 4404 or brenda@saintgiles. November and 2.15pm for 3pm on 10 contact Sue on [email protected] or The exact location of the initial shooting is org.za or [email protected]. November in a private home. 082 882 9869. unknown, however SAPS are investigating. Continued from on page 1 Eco groups lodge appeal with Minister LOCAL environmental including critique of the lobbyist groups oil spill modelling and are challenging the assessment of risks and authorisation granted by impacts. By contrast, the Department of Mineral the independent experts, Resources (DMR) to cautioned that such deep- foreign mining giants Eni sea offshore oil exploration and SASOL to drill six was a new frontier for the exploration oil wells at oil and gas industry, and two deep sea locations that a wellhead blowout off the coast of KwaZulu- frequency was expected Natal. to be greater in deep Environmental attorneys high-current locations and Adrian Pole and Kirsten very rapid responses to Youens lodged a detailed catastrophic events would appeal on behalf of be near impossible. They WILDOCEANS, with the also cautioned against the Environment, Forestry and risk assessment by the Fishery (DEFF) Minister EIA consultants, saying Barbara Creecy. it signifi cantly under- The Appeals Directorate represented the likely of DEFF has given the negative environmental Department, Eni and impacts. SASOL’s representatives “This is particularly Councillor Mmabatho Tembe by the park in Dunkirk Road, Umbilo. until 11 November to alarming given the critical respond to the all “grounds biodiversity areas and for appeal” submitted by new Marine Protected 47 appellants who include Areas (MPAs) on the east the SDCEA and the South coast of South Africa that African Association are in the path of more for Marine Biological realistic oil spill modelling Research (SAAMBR). scenarios. Damage to According to these areas would severely WILDOCEANS the compromise biodiversity, Environmental Impact fi sheries and tourism,” said Assessment (EIA) Harris. undertaken by the In their appeal to the oil company’s EIA Minister, WILDOCEANS UMBILO residents are calling for the park in the park is also used as a toilet. Vagrants trade, and the park for their ‘business.’ consultants (ERM) argued contends that the Final and nearby substation in Dunkirk Road, that pick through the rubbish in surrounding Visiting the park on Monday, ward that the possibility of Environmental Impact which they say is being abused by vagrants, areas bring the bags to the park and rummage, councillor Mmabatho Tembe said she a catastrophic oil spill Report (FEIR) prepared to be cleaned and fenced. They claim whatever they don’t need is just strewn across had requested a clean-up at the park and should a wellhead blowout by Eni and SASOL’s vagrants live in the park, openly use drugs the park,” she said. substation on 11 September and that the Parks occur was unlikely and consultants was and use the substation as a toilet. Schnittker said the playground equipment Department and DSW had cut the grass, that impacts on South fl awed, that the public According to one resident, Katherine is old and vagrants had stolen whatever they cleaned up litter and removed the vagrants. Africa’s ocean would be participation process was Schnittker, between 10 and 12 vagrants have could hack off during the night. “We have had a series of clean-ups at low. However, disturbed unfair, the EIA Oil Spill been living in the park for the past three “The whoonga addicts sit there all day the park but the result is that it continues to by the quality of the Model predictions were months, and a recent park clean-up by the and night and smoke in front of children degrade as time goes by. The Departments EIA, Dr Jean Harris, unrealistic, potential municipality did nothing to deter them from playing in the park unsupervised. The fl ies need to take better care of their entities,” she executive director of environmental impact returning. and rats have been the worst, not to mention said. WILDOCEANS, obtained was under-estimated, and “The substation next to the park urgently the stench. Residents and businesses in the Tembe said she would request another three international expert there was no climate risk needs to be fenced off as it has been used road have had enough! The whole area also clean-up, adding that she had contacted the reviews of the EIA, assessment. as a toilet by the vagrants that have been badly needs new lights,” she said, adding that head of the Electricity Department to request sleeping in the park for months. A dustbin prostitutes were using the road to ply their the substation be fenced. Safety forum meets Enter blind THE Bulwer Safety and Urban Regeneration Forum (BSURF) meets on Tuesday, 12 navigators rally November at Glenwood Community Church Hall, intersection of Clark and Bulwer Roads, at TEST your boundaries by entering the Blind 6.15pm for 6.30pm. Navigators Rally which takes place on There will be a speaker on the night. Tea/ Sunday, 10 November. coffee will be served after the meeting. As a sighted driver you are paired with a Contact Heather on 062 267 6535. blind navigator and required to completely rely on each other to get around a designated HSA 45 course on public roads, running against the CORDLESS HEDGE clock. The event is both challenging and fun TRIMMER R 1 595 and a wonderful opportunity to learn about abilities and disabilities. There are always more navigators than drivers so consider signing up so that blind participants will not be disappointed. Check in is at 9am on Sunday 10 November at the Durban Bowling Club, Greyville. Drivers should register in advance by contacting Saffura on 031 309 6785 or [email protected]. Did you know? 85% of Berea readers read their local Don’t speed - Arrive Alive paper before their weekend shop ROOTS SURVEY 2019 Friday, 1 November 2019 3 Private developers invited to partner with city PRIVATE developers with their own land will be invited to partner with the City for the development of gap and affordable housing. This follows the tabling of a report at an Executive Committee meeting held this week.