Staff Reporter.
A Parkhurst Clinic health worker was arrested on Saturday and will be charged with fraud for selling fake Covid-19 negative tests to travellers.
The health worker, who sold the tests for R500 each, was closely monitored for several days, and will appear in the Booysens Magistrate Court on Monday.
He was arrested during a sting operation led by Johannesburg mayor Jolidee Matonga, in close partnership with the JMPD and the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS).
The City’s spokesperson, Lucky Sindane, said the suspect sold fake negative tests “to South Africans wishing to travel to other countries without conducting an actual Covid-19 test”.
The suspect allegedly collected ID numbers from travellers, who would then receive an SMS from the laboratory within two to three days.
The SMS contained information pertaining to a fake negative Covid-19 test. Once payment of R500 was made, the health worker would release the test certificate.
Authorities say the health worker wasn’t working alone. The investigation continues and officials believe more arrests will follow in due course.
STING OPERATION: Executive Mayor, Clr Matongo weighs in on last night’s arrest. He urges City officials to not partake in fraudulent activities.
“Corruption compromises the whole country”@CityofJoburgZA @matongo_jolidee pic.twitter.com/QO4Z1395Oa
— CoJ Group Forensic and Investigation Service (@coj_gfis) August 22, 2021
Mayor Matonga warned of the dangers this could hold for the public, and encouraged other health workers to refrain from engaging “in such corrupt activities”.
“It’s quite unfortunate, we don’t 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. Imagine someone who has contracted Covid-19 and they are given a certificate that says they are negative. That person will infect many people and some may succumb to the virus,” Matongo said.
He said officials must “set an example and send a strong message to people who are doing this”. He said corruption has no place in the City, and said the task team will continue its investigation.