This paper forms part of my attempt to historicize pollution associated with oil refining in south Durban by analyzing histories of pollution experiences, environmental regulation, pollution abatement and civic protests in the area. 2 In many ways, south Durban represents a test case for post-Apartheid South Africa, juxtaposing major petrochemical industries and residential neighborhoods with histories of forced removals during Apartheid. Questions of environmental justice, set against the backdrop of allegations of environmental racism …