Dr Jacob Modumo, acting CEO of Onderstepoort Biological Products, remains on precautionary suspension pending an investigation into alleged serious misconduct relating to the pricing of imported foot-and-mouth disease vaccines, according to African Farming. The state-owned company faces scrutiny after data presented to Parliament revealed it charged up to twice as much for imported vaccines as it had paid for them.
Parliament Reviews Vaccine Sales and Import Margins
State-owned Onderstepoort Biological Products recorded domestic sales of about R220.6 million during April, May, and June of the 2025/26 financial year, according to figures presented to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Agriculture on 18 August by senior journalist Jasper Raats. Almost 94% of those domestic sales came from two imported foot-and-mouth disease vaccines.
The imported Bioaftogen vaccine from Biogénesis Bagó in Argentina generated sales of R103.69 million, while Aftodoll Oil, manufactured by Dollvet in Türkiye, contributed R103.5 million. Together, the two products accounted for R207.19 million, or 93.9%, of domestic sales for the quarter, leaving just R13.41 million, or 6.1%, from other local sales. Total sales, including exports, reached R241.1 million, delivering an earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation figure of R83.68 million.
Comparing Private Channel Costs to State Pricing
Private channels offer both vaccines at roughly R46 per dose, including veterinarian handling fees, according to industry sources. Dr Danie Odendaal, veterinarian and director of the Veterinarian Network, stated that Bioaftogen costs just under R44 per dose upon arrival at the airport, with airport handling, DHL shipping, and veterinary fees adding about R1 each to reach roughly R46. David Gerber of Dunevax Biotech confirmed that Dollvet’s Aftodoll vaccine costs R45 per dose delivered to the farm for orders as small as 500 doses, rising to about R46 with a R1 veterinarian handling fee.
By contrast, Free State MEC for Agriculture Elzabé Rockman told the Portfolio Committee that Onderstepoort Biological Products charged the province R70 per dose for Bioaftogen and R90 per dose for Aftodoll. Additional scrutiny emerged after Rapport reported that Modumo wanted distributors to increase imported vaccine prices to R69 per dose. Minister of Agriculture Willie Aucamp previously stated that no state institution should profit from the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, noting that genuine transport costs may be added but the state should not make a profit on the vaccines.
Did you know? Red Meat Industry Services CEO Dewald Olivier stated in July that local companies involved in vaccine production indicated they could manufacture foot-and-mouth disease vaccines for less than R10 per dose. However, African Farming was unable to obtain confirmation from the Agricultural Research Council regarding its confirmed production costs or supply prices.
Suspension and Investigation Deadlines
The Onderstepoort Biological Products board gave Modumo five days to provide reasons why his precautionary suspension should not remain in effect. Investigators must determine which additional services or distribution costs justify the prices charged to provinces while the suspension remains active.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dr Jacob Modumo suspended?
Modumo is on precautionary suspension pending an investigation into alleged serious misconduct regarding the pricing of imported foot-and-mouth disease vaccines.
What proportion of sales came from imported vaccines?
Nearly 94% of domestic sales in the final quarter of the 2025/26 financial year came from two imported foot-and-mouth disease vaccines, Bioaftogen and Aftodoll.
What do the vaccines cost through private channels versus state pricing?
Private channels price both vaccines at approximately R46 per dose, while Onderstepoort Biological Products charged the Free State province R70 per dose for Bioaftogen and R90 per dose for Aftodoll.
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