Thread by @miamalan

[Thread] 1. Would criminals steal and falsify #CovidVaccines in #Africa? It has started. On 19 November, South Africa received its first freight of falsified #Covid19 “vaccines”. bit.ly/3qcHXYm

2. The falsified #CovidVaccines were found in a warehouse in Germiston. Police tracked the freight from OR Tambo and found prefilled syringes in boxes with Chinese labels. There were strong signs they were going to be sold as genuine #CovidVaccines. bit.ly/3qcHXYm

3. Interpol says the falsified "jabs" had been advertised for sale on a Chinese social media app, WeChat. They had been imported from Singapore as “cosmetic injections”. Two people have been arrested. Police are trying to trace if any were released in SA. bit.ly/3qcHXYm

4. On 15 January, Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control said it was aware of falsified vaccines circulating in the country and pleaded with the public to beware: “Fake vaccines … could kill.” bit.ly/2MViCDS

5. Just 2 weeks later, “Dr H. Losho from Lagos”, who also advertises sex toys, clothes and shoes, posted this tweet: “If you're interested in 2 shots of Covid Vaccine at 50k each, contact @ad_de_moles. AstraZeneca. Arrives in 2 weeks. You get a card.” bit.ly/3cZzOTn

6. Why is Africa vulnerable to #CovidCrime? In an analysis in November, the WHO warned that “Africa is far from ready for what will be the continent’s largest ever immunisation drive”. bit.ly/2Z8H5bm

7. Lack of resources and technical capacity in #Africa means it’s going to take long for #CovidVaccine roll-outs to happen, says @RGAMeyer. Criminals will have time to strategise, adapt to security measures and to insert their products into supply chains. bit.ly/3qcHXYm

9. @RGAMeyer won an Emmy for a film Sweet Codeine (about illegal selling of the substance), resulting in several arrests and convictions, including that of a pharmaceutical company executive. bbc.in/3jFup53

10. Because the demand for #CovidVaccines will be high, access will be limited, everybody will want to have their shot, and in that kind of situation this vaccine is liquid gold, experts say. bit.ly/3qcHXYm

11. Only 10% of African medicine regulators have “moderately developed capacity”, with 90% having “little to no capacity”. The WHO says this “facilitates the proliferation of...falsely labelled, falsified and counterfeit medical products.” bit.ly/3qcHXYm

11. But where do counterfeit medical products that end up in #Africa come from? #China (Africa’s biggest trade partner) and #India. bit.ly/3qcHXYm

12. Anti-crime agencies say Africa’s trade routes with China/India will allow criminals to introduce shipments of falsified vaccines. Ex-trafficker: “There’s a well-established route for [illegal] tramadol between Nigeria + India that's waiting to be fueled with (fake) vaccine”.

13. So how can we protect our #CovidVaccines from being stolen or prevent falsified jabs from entering countries in Africa? Background checks on staff, GPS trackers inside vaccine boxes and verification technology. bit.ly/3qcHXYm

14. Read our full story. @bhekisisa_MG is grateful for the support of @GI_TOC for this investigative series on #COVID19 and organised crime. The next investigation will be published Thursday, 18 Feb. bit.ly/3qcHXYm

You can also read our story in the @FinancialMail. It's the cover story this week - we're so proud at @Bhekisisa_MG! bit.ly/3tT1KOT