A group opposing shale gas exploration in the Karoo is being sued for more than R400 000 in outstanding legal fees.

Johannesburg - A group opposing shale gas exploration in the Karoo is being sued for more than R400 000 in outstanding legal fees, a lawyer said on Wednesday.

“I can confirm that we are suing Mr Jonathan Deal of the Treasure the Karoo Action Group for outstanding legal fees in the amount of R424 125,” Luke Havemann, of Havemann and Associates Incorporated, said in a statement.

“A summons was issued to Mr Deal on Wednesday last week.”

Havemann said Deal briefed the company in his personal capacity to provide legal services to TKAG. Deal denied this.

“I don't owe the money to him and I have no intention of paying him the money.

“Other than that I have no comment, but (I) can say that this will have no effect on our anti-fracking campaign. We remain focused on the campaign.”

On Wednesday, TKAG said it was preparing for a legal wrangle with the government over the extraction of shale gas from the Karoo using a method called hydrolic fracturing, commonly known as fracking.

TKAG had set up a legal team in preparation for a confrontation to prevent fracking in the Karoo. Last year, the mineral resources department imposed a moratorium on fracking, with the aim of first undertaking a study into its environmental impact. - Sapa