The State Security Agency is investigating a possible case of terrorism after the Border Management Authority (BMA) this week seized a shipment of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine that was illegally imported into South Africa.
By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad
Milk SA issued a statement on 22 November 2025 warning the agricultural industry that it had become aware that a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine from Kenya could be illegally imported. The BMA had been notified about it.
Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), says the shipment of vaccines was airlifted to South Africa under the name Betanol. Betanol is a drug used for people with heart problems. According to the documentation, the shipment was to be stored at a temperature of 9°C, which made border management officials suspicious because this is not a prerequisite for Betanol.
Also read: Milk SA sounds alarm over illegal Kenyan FMD vaccine use
The route the consignment was to follow was indicated to be from Kenya to Polokwane, Pietermaritzburg and then to Tanzania. The consignment was confiscated in Polokwane and it was found to be foot-and-mouth disease vaccine from Kenya. The BMA also seized a second consignment at Pietermaritzburg, but it was not foot-and-mouth disease vaccine.
The seized vaccine has been sent to the National Health Laboratory Service’s TAD laboratory for further testing. The State Security Agency has now taken over the case and a possible terrorism charge is being investigated.
Olivier says the vaccine could be very dangerous for South Africa’s livestock herd as it contains two foot-and-mouth disease strains – serotypes O and A – that are not found in South Africa. These strains can cause animals to die. The local livestock herd does not have a natural immunity against these strains. If these strains spread in South Africa, it could lead to livestock deaths.
Research has found that although the vaccine from Kenya is marketed as an inactive vaccine, it is sometimes live and can cause an outbreak of these strains in local livestock. Although this shipment was seized, it is possible that some of the vaccine has already entered the country.
Olivier urges farmers to only use the BVI vaccine that has legally entered South Africa and not to purchase vaccines from foreign suppliers. He also encourages farmers to be an active part of the national vaccination process and when their animals are vaccinated on the farm, they must make sure which vaccine is used. Only state veterinarians are allowed to handle and administer foot-and-mouth disease vaccine.
Also read: FMD: MPO buys 50 000 vaccines for dairy farmers
