REQUEST FOR OVERSIGHT INTERVENTION – DFFE’S APPARENT FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT THE WILDLIFE WELL-BEING FORUM MANDATE

On Tuesday 3rd March 2026 WAPFSA addressed an open letter to Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

We write to you with deep concern regarding the apparent failure of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to give effect to its legislative and policy commitments in relation to wildlife well-being, specifically the operationalisation of the Wildlife Well-Being Forum (WWBF).

The Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa (WAPFSA) — a national network of 30 South African organisations — respectfully requests that the Portfolio Committee exercise its oversight function and investigate DFFE’s apparent lack of commitment to the Wildlife Well-Being Forum.

Meanwhile, DFFE continues to chair and participate regularly in the long-standing industry-focused Wildlife Forum which is composed exclusively of industry representatives and operates without civil society membership.This uneven engagement raises serious concerns regarding transparency, fairness, and balanced consultation.

Download the open letter:

REQUEST-FOR-OVERSIGHT-INTERVENTION-–-DFFES-APPARENT-FAILURE-TO-IMPLEMENT-THE-WILDLIFE-WELL-BEING-FORUM-MANDATE Download