Minister Awaits Lion-Breeding Report Amid Industry Allegations

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Ministerial Task Team Report and Allegations Against Willie Aucamp

Willie Aucamp, the current Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, is currently waiting for the report from the Ministerial Task Team regarding the voluntary closure of controlled lion-breeding facilities. This comes amid allegations that he has ties to the lion breeding industry. The minister has not yet decided on the next steps concerning this activity.

This situation has emerged as Aucamp is involved in a dispute with former departmental staff members who have accused him of being connected to the lion breeding industry. However, Aucamp has denied these claims. His response to questions about taking action against controlled lion breeders came after a written inquiry from Mzwanele Manyi, a member of the MK party. Manyi asked whether Aucamp plans to continue phasing out the captive lion-breeding industry and limit the export of lion-bone stockpiles.

In a statement issued by the DA before George’s removal, the party highlighted that there are currently an estimated 8,000 captive lions in South Africa across 350 facilities. The statement also mentioned the party's support for George’s efforts against canned lion hunting and the lion bone trade. Manyi also inquired about safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest in the wildlife-breeding and trophy-hunting sectors. He further asked about clear timelines and mechanisms if the policy is to continue.

Manyi, who is also a businessman, political figure, and former government spokesperson, gained prominence through his leadership of the Black Management Forum. There, he advocated for the advancement of black professionals in South Africa's corporate sector.

In his response, Aucamp stated that he was “cognisant” of the 2024 Policy Position on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Elephant, Lion, Leopard and Rhinoceros, as well as the White Paper on Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa's Biodiversity. He added that he is still awaiting the handover report from the Ministerial Task Team on the voluntary closure of existing controlled lion facilities, along with statistical data and socio-economic implications of such closures.

Aucamp emphasized that detailed analysis of this must be presented to Cabinet as feedback on the status of the Cabinet-approved regulatory framework and policies. He said that next steps will be considered after analyzing the report and relevant data.

The 2024 Policy Position seeks to guide South Africa’s management of iconic species, including phasing out the captive lion-breeding industry and regulating the trade in lion products. It aligns with the broader goals set by the White Paper on Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Biodiversity, which includes sustainable use, biodiversity conservation, and equitable benefit sharing.

A Ministerial Task Team was appointed in December 2022 by then-Minister Barbara Creecy to advise on the voluntary closure of existing controlled lion facilities and assess the impacts of such closures.

Earlier this week, the department reported that Aucamp had lodged a complaint with the Public Protector. This followed his awareness of an investigation into his private business affairs, reportedly instigated by former senior departmental officials. Aucamp claims the probe is politically motivated and aimed at falsely linking him to the lion-breeding industry, which he denies having any association with.

“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,” Aucamp stated.

In November, President Cyril Ramaphosa removed George from his position, replacing him with Aucamp, who was then the DA party spokesperson. This was at the request of party leader John Steenhuisen. George is believed to have leaked Steenhuisen’s personal financial problems to the media.

Days before Ramaphosa fired George, the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa (WAPFSA) expressed deep concern over Aucamp’s appointment. In a statement, WAPFSA urged Ramaphosa to reject Aucamp’s appointment, stating that they believed Aucamp’s private interests could influence the state’s decision-making to his own advantage.

“Willie Aucamp is proudly, explicitly and publicly aligned with South Africa’s hunting and wildlife breeding, including genetically modifying species, specifically for trophy hunting. His family have interests in the hunting and breeding of wild animals for profit,” a statement from WAPFSA said at the time.

Aucamp has requested the Public Protector to investigate without speculation or interference and has submitted all available information and evidence for the inquiry.