President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Dion George and appointed Willem Abraham Stephanus Aucamp as the new Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.
Ramaphosa also announced the appointment of Alexandra Lilian Amelia Abrahams as Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.
“I wish Mr Aucamp and Ms Abrahams well in their portfolios,” he said.
According to reports, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen requested George’s removal from Cabinet. George was one of six DA ministers serving under the Government of National Unity (GNU), which was formed after no political party achieved an outright majority in the 2024 general elections. Steenhuisen reportedly sought to replace him with the party’s national spokesperson, Aucamp, over allegations of underperformance.
In response to media speculation, Steenhuisen said the decision was not driven by external pressure or interests. He emphasised that the DA entered the GNU in June 2024 with a clear mission to confront South Africa’s most urgent challenges and deliver tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.
“The DA currently holds twelve positions within the National Executive. It is therefore imperative that these roles are occupied by the most capable individuals our party has to offer — people who bring integrity, energy, and excellence to government. Collegiality is crucial. Our progress requires steadfast teamwork within and outside government as we strive to deliver better governance and improvements to people’s lives. In this mission it is also important for each and every public official to work to an agreed agenda,” he said.
The dismissal comes as George was attending the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, where he was representing South Africa in global discussions on sustainable development and environmental protection. His removal while abroad drew attention to both the timing of the decision and his ongoing involvement in international climate diplomacy.
George’s tenure as Minister had also drawn scrutiny over reports confirming that he holds dual citizenship with South Africa and the United States. He stated that his dual status was declared during vetting by the State Security Agency when he joined the Cabinet, and that he used his U.S. passport to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly with presidential consent.
While South African law permits dual citizenship, the issue raised questions over transparency and protocol, particularly regarding the use of a foreign passport in official government duties.
With Aucamp’s appointment, the DA aims to strengthen its performance within the GNU and reinforce its environmental leadership agenda as South Africa navigates a complex energy and climate policy landscape.
