South Africa’s livestock industry has been rocked by the seizure of a second unlawful shipment of Kenyan Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine, prompting an escalated investigation by the State Security Agency (SSA) that includes serious allegations of terrorism and biological warfare. The illicit importation poses a critical biosecurity threat to the nation’s red meat and dairy sectors.
The Border Management Authority (BMA) recently confiscated the second consignment, which was transported via air to Polokwane. The shipment was fraudulently labelled as “Betanol,” a medication for human heart problems, a detail that immediately raised suspicion among border officials. Documents indicating a strict storage requirement of 9°C, a condition not necessary for Betanol, further flagged the cargo. The declared transit route, from Kenya to Polokwane, then Pietermaritzburg, and finally to Tanzania, was deemed anomalous, leading to the discovery of the unauthorised Kenyan FMD vaccine.
Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), confirmed the serious nature of the ongoing probe. While unable to disclose details due to the sensitivity of the investigation, Olivier revealed that RMIS has already engaged with Interpol, which is now actively involved in the case. The SSA’s involvement, investigating complaints related to terrorism and biological warfare, underscores the potential catastrophic impact of foreign FMD strains entering the country. The illegal vaccine is feared to contain serotypes O and A, which are not currently circulating in South Africa and could spark new, untreatable outbreaks.
The agricultural sector was first alerted to the threat in late November 2025 when Milk SA issued a public statement warning that the Kenyan FMD vaccine might be entering the country illegally, after which the BMA was notified. Amidst the biosecurity crisis, RMIS CEO Olivier strongly emphasised that commercial farmers must adhere strictly to South African law: all vaccines used on farms must be administered by a state veterinarian. Furthermore, farmers are urged to remain vigilant, ensuring that all vaccine labels are present and intact to maintain compliance and protect the national herd. RMIS, which does not trade in vaccines itself, has historically only facilitated government-imported vaccine purchases for the private sector, stressing its role as a regulator and facilitator, not a commercial supplier
