The government has strongly dismissed reports claiming that South Africa plans to support lifting the international ban on the commercial trade of ivory and rhino horn.

According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), such claims are without basis and do not reflect the country’s longstanding commitment to responsible wildlife management under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The department reaffirmed that South Africa remains committed to global cooperation and biodiversity protection ahead of the upcoming CITES COP20 meeting later this year, where international discussions on wildlife trade and conservation are expected to take centre stage.

South Africa’s stance is rooted in conservation rather than commerce, with policies guided by science, ethics, and sustainability. The country’s approach focuses on safeguarding biodiversity while also supporting the livelihoods of communities living alongside wildlife.

The DFFE emphasised that its participation in CITES processes seeks to protect endangered species, maintain ecological balance, and ensure that conservation efforts bring long-term social and economic benefits.

In addition, the department outlined ongoing work with regional and international partners to curb poaching, dismantle trafficking networks, and reinforce wildlife law enforcement. Its stated priority remains securing a future in which elephants, rhinos, and people can coexist sustainably.