South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment addresses investment scam and sardine die‑off

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) said it has no formal relationship with Morita Forestry, a company alleged to have run an investment scam that cost South Africans hundreds of millions of rand. Morita Forestry, operating from China with an office in Sandton and a U.S. address, promised daily returns from woodland projects. DFFE clarified that its involvement was limited to a tree‑planting event under the One Million Trees Programme, where Morita Forestry donated about 300 trees, and announced it will assess possible legal steps.

Separately, DFFE launched an investigation after dead and dying sardines were reported washing up along the Western Cape coast from Saldanha Bay to Gansbaai and offshore near Hout Bay. The cause of the mortality event is unknown; scientists will conduct diagnostic testing for factors such as harmful algal blooms, disease, or water‑quality changes. The department urged the public not to handle or consume the fish pending results.