Tax Justice SA (TJSA) founder, Yusuf Abramjee has urged South African authority to lock up the deadly vaccine fraudsters on Thursday. This comes after the SA’sauthorities seized hundreds of fake Covid-19 vaccines at a warehouse in Germiston, Gauteng on Wednesday.
The arrests came just weeks after International policing authority Interpol issued notice warning to prepare for organised crime networks targeting Covid-19 vaccines.About 400 ampoules – equivalent to around 2,400 doses containing the fake vaccine were found at a warehouse in Germiston.
Abramjee said that the suspects bust with fake Covid-19 vaccines in Gauteng must face the harshest jail terms.
“Criminals exploiting the pandemic are endangering the lives of all South Africans. These crooks should spend their own lives behind bars for such cynical and deadly racketeering,”
“Authorities and the public should be on their guard against organised criminal networks in illicit trade who have targeted the vaccine rollout as yet another way to loot the nation,” Abramjee said.
He cited that the pandemic Covid-19 and lockdown have created huge opportunities for criminals.
“The pandemic and lockdown have created huge opportunities for criminals and they’ve been quick to cash in. Lockdown prohibitions have led to an explosion in the illicit trade of alcohol and tobacco and criminal syndicates are always looking for ways to expand their portfolios,”
“Authorities must wake up fast to the fact that illicit trade is an epidemic that must be treated with the strongest medicine. A few weeks ago, unregistered medicines worth R126 million were seized at OR Tambo airport, indicating the immense sums involved.”
