The MK Party has called on the Hawks to investigate DA ministers Steenhuisen and Aucamp over alleged involvement in commercial lion bone trading, citing corruption, abuse of power, and ethical misconduct. The MK Party has called on theDirectorate for Priority Crime Investigation(Hawks) to urgently investigate serious allegations againstMinister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Willie Aucamp, and theDemocratic Alliance(DA). The allegations claim the ministers and the party were involved in facilitating and participating in the commercial trading of lion bones for private and commercial interests.
The party said these allegations, which emerged following disclosures by George, raise serious concerns about corruption, abuse of political influence and conduct, inconsistent with ethical governance and environmental responsibility. The MK Party said they would further expose “the hollowness of the DA’s long-standing posture as a party of ‘clean governance’.” MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the initial ethics complaint against Steenhuisen before Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests relates to “the abuse of public office and the misrepresentation of Cabinet and government positions at the Oval Office for narrow party-political benefit.” Ndlela confirmed that the MK Party would formally submit additional representations to the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests to supplement the existing case. He said this would include “representations againstWillie Aucampfor his part in the matter, therefore ensuring that all ethical concerns are properly placed before Parliament for consideration in the public interest.” He also called on thePublic Protectorto cooperate fully with the Hawks in examining the complaint laid by George against his own party leader, saying, “No individual, regardless of political standing, should be shielded from scrutiny or accountability.” The MK Party noted allegations circulating in the public domain relating to Steenhuisen’s spouse. While these allegations remain untested, Ndhlela said, “all such matters must be addressed through lawful processes.”
