OBP acting CEO suspended amid FMD vaccine pricing allegations
It is alleged that the company imported FMD vaccines at a lower cost but sold them at a higher price to farmers
Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) Board has placed its acting CEO, Dr Jacob Modumo, on precautionary suspension amid allegations surrounding the pricing of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccines. The suspension came following an emergency meeting with the board on September 4th, 2026, regarding the allegations. Modumo, appointed acting CEO on May 27th, 2025, has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.
OBP, a state-owned animal vaccine manufacturing and distribution company, is prohibited from making a profit from selling FMD vaccines. Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp stated that the Board gave Modumo a five-day notice to provide reasons why he should not be suspended. If his reasons are insufficient, the suspension will remain in place while an investigation into the allegations continues.
Aucamp emphasized that the suspension is a precautionary measure intended to uphold good governance, accountability, and due process principles. The government remains committed to supporting farmers by ensuring vaccines are procured and made available at the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
