CAPE TOWN – World-renowned botanist Professor Eugene Moll has given Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden a clean bill of health following a ministerial inspection on Wednesday, contradicting months of public outcry over alleged mismanagement at the Cape Town facility.

Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp invited Moll, a former University of Cape Town professor and plant ecologist, to conduct a walk-through of the gardens after criticism surfaced on social media earlier this year.

The inspection, which included SANBI chief executive Shonisani Munzhedzi, covered the seed bank, succulent collection and nursery facilities.

“He hadn’t realised that the facilities at Kirstenbosch are up to the standard that they are now,” the minister’s office said of Moll’s assessment.

Moll, who had previously raised concerns during a television interview, confirmed that issues with the succulent collections – an area of particular interest to him – stemmed from challenges experienced some months ago and have since been addressed.

“I hope that, with further improvements as per the minister’s directives, visitors will soon flood back to visit Kirstenbosch,” Moll said after the visit.

The controversy began in May when naturalist and former volunteer James Deacon launched a social media campaign alleging “death and decay and neglect” at the botanical garden. Deacon, who has nearly two decades of association with Kirstenbosch, cited a shrinking Protea collection, loss of Erica specimens, poor plant labelling, low staff morale and financial mismanagement.

His Facebook post on 17 May generated significant public attention and support from conservation groups and political parties.

SANBI acknowledged staffing gaps had affected maintenance on the 200-hectare estate, including an eight to 12-month period without EPWP workers after project funding ended. The institute also confirmed several experienced horticultural specialists had left in recent years through retirement and death.

However, SANBI disputed claims that a third of the Protea collection had disappeared and maintained it still has skilled horticulturalists and oversight structures.

According to the minister’s office, SANBI met with Deacon in February 2026 following initial complaints and conducted a walk-through at Kirstenbosch, after which both parties agreed the matter was resolved.

Aucamp described Deacon’s subsequent social media campaign – which came shortly after the dismissal of an acquaintance of Deacon’s at SANBI – as “unconstructive and misleading”.

“This must not become a window-dressing exercise – my priority is to ensure that Kirstenbosch’s scientific, conservation and horticultural assets are properly maintained and protected so that future generations can continue to benefit from them,” Aucamp said.

The minister has tasked SANBI with implementing several improvement initiatives, including rebuilding a volunteer programme, strengthening succession planning and mentoring, expanding partnerships with local and international experts, and developing revenue-generation initiatives.

Additional maintenance support was promised in May when SANBI said 25 new EPWP workers funded by government would start in June, along with 37 tourism monitors funded through the Department of Tourism.

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Recently concerns also emerged about Kirstenbosch’s greenhouses being overwhelmed by confiscated plants from poachers, presenting record-keeping, space and disease management challenges.

Aucamp acknowledged that concerns regarding national assets must be taken seriously regardless of how they are raised.

“Notwithstanding the manner in which some concerns have been raised, any issues relating to our national environmental assets deserve careful consideration and constructive engagement,” he said.

SANBI will continue to welcome collaboration with volunteers, specialists, researchers and interested stakeholders, the minister’s office said.

“Based on what I witnessed during this visit, I remain extremely positive about the calibre, dedication and expertise of the professionals working at Kirstenbosch,” Aucamp said. “As minister, I remain committed to strengthening our botanical gardens and ensuring that these world-class institutions continue to serve South Africans and visitors from around the globe.”