Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, is under investigation by the Public Protector following a complaint by former DFFE Minister Dion George. The Public Protector has confirmed receipt of a formal complaint lodged by former Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Mr Dion Travers George, against Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and current DFFE Minister Willie Aucamp, triggering a preliminary assessment into allegations of improper conduct at the highest level of government. In correspondence dated January 8, 2026, the Office of the Public Protector acknowledged that the complaint, submitted through George’s attorneys, Gittins Attorneys Inc., is undergoing an assessment to determine whether it falls within the watchdog’s constitutional mandate.
The outcome of this assessment is expected within 10 working days. According to the Public Protector, George’s complaint calls for an investigation into the conduct of Minister Aucamp, including “his failure to disclose his personal commercial interests and his conflict of interest, which constitutes a breach of the Executive Ethics Code.” George alleges “the withdrawal of the protection of Abalone, known as Haliotis Midae, from the recent CITES summit,” which he claims occurred amid “unlawful interference” in the affairs of the DFFE. Another key issue highlighted is the alleged failure by Minister Aucamp to renew the mandate of the Ministerial Task Team responsible for, among other things, implementing the phase-out of the captive lion breeding industry.
The task team’s mandate expired at the end of November 2025. In addition to Minister Aucamp, George’s complaint implicates DA political leader and Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen. The Public Protector summarised the allegations as including “the unlawful interference in the mandate and function of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment,” George’s removal as minister, and Aucamp’s appointment, which George argues was inconsistent with the intent of the Government of National Unity. The Office of the Public Protector has requested further clarification from George to determine whether certain communications cited in the complaint were made in the ministers’ official capacities or in their roles within the Democratic Alliance.
