A 28 year old City of Johannesburg health worker stationed at the Parkhurst Clinic was arrested for allegedly selling fake COVID-19 certificates to travellers for R500.
The suspect was closely monitored for over a week and was arrested during a sting operation which was led by the City’s executive mayor Jolidee Matongo, working with Group Forensic and Investigation Service department and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.
Matongo said the suspect sells the fake COVID-19 certificates to people wishing to travel to other countries without conducting the actual test and taking blood samples.
“All you need to do is send him your identity number, after a day or two you will receive a message from the laboratory indicating that you have tested negative for COVID-19. He will then give you the certificate which he charges R500,” said Matongo.
Investigations have also shown that the suspect is not working alone.
Matongo said, “It is quite unfortunate, we do not need such people in our system. We would like to encourage our staff not to engage in such corrupt activities because it compromises the whole country,”
Matongo hopes that the suspects will be sent to prison for a long time.
“We need to set an example and send a strong message to people who are doing this. If the laws of this country have to be changed to deal with such, let us do that,” he said.
He said more suspects are expected to be arrested as the investigation is ongoing.
