Interpol has this week become involved in a case being investigated by the State Security Agency (SSA) after a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine was illegally imported from Kenya.

By Alani Janeke, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

Last week, the Border Management Authority seized a shipment of FMD vaccine doses that had been unlawfully brought into South Africa. This was the second known shipment of the Kenyan vaccine to enter the country.

Dewald Olivier, CEO of Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), says they know the destination of the first shipment. Because the investigation is at a sensitive stage, he cannot share further information at this time except to say that they met with Interpol, which is now involved.

The SSA is investigating, among other things, complaints related to terrorism and biological warfare.

Also watch: FMD | Terrorism, biological warfare probe into Kenya vaccine import

Milk SA issued a statement on 22 November 2025 warning the agricultural sector that it had become aware that an FMD vaccine from Kenya might be entering the country illegally. The Border Management Authority was alerted.

Olivier says the seized shipment was transported by air to Polokwane under the name “Betanol”. Betanol is a medication used to treat people with heart problems.

According to the documentation, the shipment had to be stored at 9°C, a detail that raised suspicion among border officials because this is not a requirement for Betanol. The declared route for the shipment was from Kenya to Polokwane, then Pietermaritzburg, and finally to Tanzania. The shipment was confiscated, and it was found to be FMD vaccine from Kenya.

Also read: Milk SA sounds alarm over illegal Kenyan FMD vaccine use

Keep Vaccinations Compliant With Regulations

Olivier emphasises that farmers must make sure that any vaccine used on their farms is administered by a state veterinarian, as required by law. Farmers should also pay attention to the vaccine used and check that labels on the doses have not been removed.

RMIS does not trade in vaccines. The organisation has only facilitated the process through which the private sector could buy vaccine doses imported by government.