November 10, 2006

South Durban Community Environmental Alliance & groundWork Press Statement

GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION HITS SHELL & BP (SAPREF) GATES IN SOUTH DURBAN – SOUTH AFRICA

Hundreds of local community members blocked the Shell & BP (SAPREF) gates in south Durban today. The day of action was to remind Shell of its collusion with the Nigerian Regime in 1995 in the murder of our comrade, Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 other Oginis.

Dennis Brutus, well known Anti-Apartheid fighter who campaigned vigorously against sports being played in abnormal society participated the protest. Dennis stated that: ‘As a close Academic friend of Ken, Shell must be held accountable for the murder of Ken and his colleagues.’

Terrance Conway, a resident from Rossport (Ireland), challenging Shell in Ireland stated: ‘After going on a Toxic Tour in south Durban and seeing and hearing the impact these oil refineries have on the local communities, I go back with the knowledge that people in South Africa and all over the world are standing united legitimately so as one to fight Shell.’

Children from local schools stated that: ‘they were sick and tired of only smelling Shell’s pollution.’

A memorandum was handed over to Shell & BP (SAPREF), PRO, Lora Rossler, who stated that the memorandum will be sent to their International Office in The Hague for comment and response. (see attached for memo).

Ends//……..

For further comment, please contact:

• Desmond D’Sa – 083 982 6939 / 031 461 1991
• Bobby Peek – 082 464 1383

See Memorandum handed to SHELL and BP Management in Durban South Africa
Date: Friday10th November 2006