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. The investigation appears to have been potentially politically motivated and aimed at falsely linking him to the lion breeding industry – an industry with which Minister Aucamp has no association.
“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 recourses, irrespective of what position such individuals hold or have held in the past. 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,” said Minister Aucamp. “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 conduct the investigation without undue speculation or interference. He has further indicated that no additional details regarding the complaint will be shared at this stage.
