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SANDF.
Photo: Getty / Gallo Images
- The Hawks and the military police have clashed over a bust against controversial Cuban drugs.
- The drugs were purchased by SANDF last year for use in treating Covid-19, although they are not approved for use in South Africa.
- Since then, the Auditor General has found deficiencies in the recruitment process.
A confrontation between the Hawks and military police broke out on Friday over a controversial drug, according to the Sunday Times.
Hawks and South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) attempted to seize Heberon Interferon-Alpha-2B stores at the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS) depot in Pretoria. However, they were forced to leave after a confrontation.
Both SAHPRA and the police ministry confirmed an “incident,” the publication reported.
The SANDF reportedly purchased the drug for the treatment of Covid-19 and brought it into the country, although it is not registered for use by SAHPRA.
In April, defense force officers spent R215 million on three shipments of the drug Heberon Alpha R 2B, also known as interferon.
Interferons are proteins that the body uses as part of its natural defense against viruses. Interferon Alpha-2B, manufactured by a Cuban-Chinese company, is believed to be effective in the fight against coronavirus.
News24 previously reported that SANDF was hit by allegations that it had spent R215 million on the drug.
READ | Military Advocate Assesses Whether SANDF’s R200m Covid-19 Drug Deal Should Be Investigated
The Auditor General identified several deficiencies in drug planning, procurement, transportation, storage and registration, prompting a panel to meet to determine whether the Military Defender should investigate the agreement.
The drugs were reportedly smuggled into the county on an SA Airways flight carrying Cuban doctors dispatched to help fight the coronavirus.
It is unclear why the Hawks were denied entry, but a source told the Sunday Times it could be due to incorrect documentation or lack of jurisdiction at the base.
In a statement issued Thursday, the SANDF said that a meeting of the Military Command had been held to “deliberate on the matter related to the registration and use of the drug Interferon B for the military community.”
The statement said that SANDF acquired the drug from Cuba urgently following the Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020.
“SANDF has embarked on extensive and intensive consultations with sister armies that have bilateral and cooperative agreements,” the statement said.
“It should be noted that the SANDF communicated with the Cuban army and in these exploratory talks it was revealed that the use of Interferon Alpha-2b as an immunomodulator in the management of Covid-19 was beneficial for patients who had tested positive and those who had been in close contact with a positive person. “
SANDF added that the drug was purchased “for the exclusive use of SANDF members who were employed to help the country manage the pandemic.”
South Africa’s Military Health Services applied to Sahpra for the drug, and this was approved on October 5, the statement read.
“As a Military Command, we want to put on record that the Surgeon General is the sole authority for the protection of the medical force in the SANDF during wartime and peacetime. The health and life of our soldiers is of the utmost importance.”
– Compiled by Nicole McCain
