Cape Town – The new Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister, Willie Aucamp, has asked the Public Protector to probe allegations that his predecessor Dr. Deon George, may have abused public funds during his tenure.
In a statement made available to The Bulrushes on Sunday, 28 December 2025, Minister Aucamp confirmed that he has submitted a formal complaint to the Public Protector.
He is also requesting an investigation into the possible abuse of state resources by Dr. George, his then advisor and acting chief of staff, Shelton Mollentze, and his then personal assistant, Traverse le Goff.
Aucamp replaced Dr. George as minister last month on 12 November 2025.
In removing Dr. George, President Cyril Ramaphosa acted on a request from Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen, replacing him with Aucamp in a Government of National Unity Cabinet adjustment.
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Although no specific reasons were given for Dr. George’s removal from the Cabinet, media speculation of possible wrongdoing continues unabated.
The statement added: “Subsequent to recent media reports, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mr. Willie Aucamp, confirms that he has submitted a formal complaint to the Public Protector requesting an investigation into the possible abuse of state resources by former Minister Dr. Dion George and his then-Advisor and Acting Chief of Staff, Mr. Shelton Mollentze, and the Minister’s then-personal Assistant, Mr. Traverse le Goff.”
The complaint follows Minister Aucamp’s assumption of office, during which he was made aware of a “baseless investigation into his private business affairs”.
Minister Aucamp is a wildlife ranch owner and an advocate for the hunting industry.
The investigation into Aucamp appears to have been potentially politically motivated and aimed at falsely linking him to the lion breeding industry.
However, Minister Aucamp said he has no association with the lion breeding industry.
“I will not shy away from my duty as Minister and will act against anyone in my department who has been alleged, on a prima facie basis, to have misused state resources, irrespective of what position such individuals hold or have held in the past,” Minister Aucamp said.
“I have therefore, in my capacity as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, fulfilled my duty and submitted a comprehensive report to the Public Protector detailing all the information and evidence available to me.
“The use of state resources for personal or political purposes is unlawful, and an investigation by the Public Protector will determine whether any such abuse occurred.”
Minister Aucamp requested that the Public Protector be given the necessary time to investigate without undue speculation or interference.
He has further indicated that no additional details regarding the complaint will be shared at this stage.
The rift between Steenhuisen and Dr. George erupted publicly in November 2025 following the latter’s removal from Cabinet at the DA leaders’ request.
Officially cited as underperformance and a refusal to accept a demotion to deputy minister, the dismissal sparked mutual accusations.
Dr. George, who also wears the hat of DA federal finance chairperson, revealed he had revoked Steenhuisen’s party credit card earlier in the year due to unreconcilable expenses, including alleged personal uses such as Uber Eats orders for his family.
Steenhuisen, who denied the allegations, also faced additional scrutiny over a May 2025 court default judgment for nearly R150 000 in unpaid personal credit card debt.
Counter-allegations emerged against Dr. George, including staff bullying and misconduct, which he denied.
