Joburg healthworker arrested for selling fake COVID-19 negative test certificates

A 28-year-old male City of Johannesburg health worker stationed at the Parkhurst Clinic will appear in the Booysens Magistrate’s Court on Monday where he will be charged for fraud.

He was arrested on Saturday night for allegedly selling fake Covid-19 negative test certificates to travellers for R500 after being closely monitored for over a week.

His arrest was effected during a sting operation which was led by the City Executive Mayor, Councillor Jolidee Matongo working with the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) department and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.

The suspect allegedly sold fake Covid-19 negative test certificates to people wishing to travel to other countries without conducting tests and taking blood samples. All he allegedly required was the buyer’s identity number. After a day or two, the buyer would receive a message from the laboratory indicating that they had tested negative for Covid-19.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect is not working alone. More suspects are expected to be arrested as the investigation is ongoing.

 

Done By: Danielle Mentoor