Angola was the first African nation to impose a fine on a company operating in its waters; in June 2002 the ministry for the environment and fisheries said in a statement that a spill earlier from ChevronTexaco's offshore platforms in northwest Angola polluted beaches and forced fishermen to stop work. A government investigation in May and June found that the spills were the result of leaks from poorly maintained pipes ad obsolete tubing used to transport crude from the platforms. Consequently the Country in June 2002 has fined ChevronTexaco $2m (£1.3m) for causing environmental damage  and the fine was handed down as Chevron met President Fradique de Menezes of Sao Tomea, a small island nation off Angola's coast, to discuss oil exploration. Chevron has promised to invest $108m replacing the pipes [1]. However, the independent Cabinda radio reported on 9 March 2004 that Giant Oil Company Chevron has denied responsibility for an oil spill that has affected fishing near all its operations in the occupied Cabinda Republic. Radio Ecclesia, Catholic broadcasting station of Angola, reported Chevron Africa spokesman Timeteo de Almeida as saying: "Giant Chevron investigated and said the stain near all its operation was oil and plants coming from the Congo River". [6] There was confirmation of how big the spill was, and a local fishing commission told Radio Eclessia it had affected all local catches. Fishermen told the fishing commission they had been denied use of all nearby beaches by intimidating Chevron Security Services and that Chevron military helicopters with the help of american mercenaries had allegedly spread a substance on the water, the same material reportedly used on another Chevron spill in the same areas in December 1999 and July 1998. Chevron paid 200 local fishermen affected by the 1999 spill $150 each. Another 350 fishermen have sued Chevron for damages but the case is still pending, and going no where. [6] Consequently to control the onshore oil facilities and gold mining ventures, in the center of the province  are prevalent private and well-armed security firms. [5]In fact according to a report by Human Rights Watch, there has been, in Cabinda, a "disturbing pattern of human rights violations by the Angolan armed forces and state intelligence officials. Between September 2007 and March 2009, at least 38 people were arbitrarily arrested by the military in Cabinda and accused of state security crimes. Most were subjected to lengthy incommunicado detention, torture, and cruel or inhumane treatment in military custody and were denied due process rights".[2]  In January 2010, Cabindans,  including lawyers, members of the Church and human rights activists, have expressed concern that human rights abuses will increase. This would not be difficult for the Angolan authorities to organize: they have one of the most powerful armies in Africa.  [2]