Chido Mbewu/Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba has confirmed the discovery of 50 fake Covid-19 tests, at the Beitbridge border crossing this past weekend.

The tests were apparently being supplied by syndicates.

Ramathuba confirmed that the fake tests, showing a negative Covid-19 result, were being sold to desperate people attempting to enter South Africa at Beitbridge border post.

“Everyone re-entering South Africa must have a Covid-19 test results.

“We’re finding that people buy test results. It’s very clear that they are fake [test results] – they have contact numbers that do not exist or are created on letterheads copied from pathology labs,” she added.

According to TimesLive, the tests were being supplied by syndicates.

The discrepancy was first picked up when health officials questioned travellers on how the Covid-19 tests were carried out, said Ramathuba.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, to urgently devise a contingency plan to address the “utter chaos” at the Beitbridge border control facility.

They said travellers had told them the test had been carried out with a blood sample, instead of a nasal swab.

“Anyone who has taken a Covid-19 test will know it’s very uncomfortable to have a nasal swab. But we found people were saying they had had their fingers pricked for the test, as if it were an HIV test,” she added.

Ramathuba said the tests were sold for an estimated US$50.

“People are paying a lot of money. They are desperate to get into South Africa.”

She added 17 fake test results were discovered on Friday, with a further 30 on Saturday.

Following a visit to the border on Sunday, Ramathuba said at least 50 fake documents had been discovered over the weekend. – News24/Newsday