South Africa Places OBP Acting CEO on Precautionary Suspension Amid FMD Vaccine Pricing Allegations

Agriculture Minister Willie Aucamp has confirmed that the Board of Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) has instituted a precautionary suspension against the organisation’s Acting Chief Executive Officer following allegations concerning the pricing of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines. The development comes as South Africa continues to manage the largest FMD outbreak in the country’s history, placing significant financial and operational pressure on livestock farmers. The matter has prompted the government to reinforce its focus on accountability, responsible vaccine pricing and the effective management of public agricultural institutions. Minister Aucamp stressed that the suspension is a precautionary measure and does not constitute a finding that the Acting CEO committed misconduct. The allegations will be subject to the appropriate processes, including an opportunity for the Acting CEO to make representations and an independent investigation if necessary.

Minister Aucamp said he convened an urgent meeting with the OBP Board on Friday, 4 September 2026, after presenting information relating to allegations of serious misconduct concerning the pricing of FMD vaccines. Following its consideration of the information, the Board issued the Acting CEO with a notice of its intention to suspend him. In accordance with OBP policy, the Acting CEO has been given five days to provide reasons why the suspension should not proceed. The Board will consider those representations before determining the appropriate course of action. If the reasons provided are found to be insufficient, the precautionary suspension will remain in place while an independent investigation into the allegations takes place.

The issue has emerged at a critical point for South Africa’s livestock sector, with farmers facing the consequences of an extensive FMD outbreak. The disease can cause serious disruption to livestock production and trade, while measures required to control its spread can create additional costs for farming businesses. Vaccination forms an important part of the broader response, making the availability and affordability of appropriate vaccines particularly important for livestock producers. Government therefore has a responsibility to ensure that public resources and interventions connected to disease control operate efficiently and in the interests of farmers. Minister Aucamp has made it clear that OBP should not use the current crisis as an opportunity to make undue profits from FMD vaccines.

The Minister emphasised that OBP, as a government entity, has an obligation to act in the public interest. He said there should be no exorbitant markup on FMD vaccines, particularly while farmers are already carrying substantial financial costs as a result of the outbreak. Keeping vaccines accessible and procuring them in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible can help reduce some of the financial pressure associated with disease control. Vaccine pricing also matters because farmers need to make decisions about vaccination while managing other costs linked to livestock production, biosecurity and disease prevention. Ensuring that vaccines are available at reasonable prices can therefore support the wider national effort to control FMD and protect the livestock industry.

The allegations surrounding vaccine pricing will now have to follow the appropriate governance and investigative processes. The Acting CEO has not yet made his representations, and an independent investigation has not yet been completed. This means that the allegations should not be treated as established wrongdoing, particularly while the relevant procedures remain underway. Minister Aucamp specifically emphasised that the precautionary suspension should not be interpreted as a finding of misconduct against the Acting CEO. The process is intended to protect good governance, accountability and due process while allowing the allegations to be examined properly.

The Minister has also used the development to reinforce his expectations for public entities operating under the Department of Agriculture. He said the department and its public entities and Boards must perform their responsibilities ethically and according to high standards of governance. Strong oversight is particularly important for institutions involved in services that directly affect farmers and the agricultural economy. OBP plays an important role in the country’s animal health response, making the integrity and effectiveness of its operations particularly significant during an FMD outbreak. Maintaining public confidence in the institution will require transparent processes, accountability and continued attention to the needs of the farming sector.

Despite the leadership issue at OBP, Minister Aucamp has assured stakeholders that the precautionary suspension will not affect South Africa’s ongoing FMD vaccination programme. The country’s efforts to contain the outbreak will continue, and farmers have been encouraged not to become discouraged by the developments. Maintaining momentum in vaccination and other disease control measures remains important while the government and agricultural stakeholders work to reduce the impact of FMD. The Minister said the situation should instead be viewed within the broader commitment to good governance, accountability and the integrity of the national FMD response. Farmers therefore remain encouraged to participate in the vaccination programme and continue following the applicable animal health requirements.

Minister Aucamp has also encouraged farmers to continue applying to become authorised persons. This process enables eligible farmers to vaccinate their own animals in accordance with the applicable requirements and protocols. Allowing authorised farmers to participate in vaccination can support wider implementation of disease control measures while ensuring that vaccination takes place within the required regulatory and veterinary framework. Farmers considering this option should continue engaging with the relevant authorities and follow all prescribed procedures before vaccinating their animals. Continued participation by the farming community will remain an important part of the national response as South Africa works to manage the FMD outbreak.

For livestock farmers, the immediate priority remains protecting their animals and maintaining effective disease control measures while the allegations surrounding OBP are addressed through due process. The government has indicated that the vaccine response will continue despite the precautionary suspension, which provides reassurance that the broader vaccination programme will not be disrupted. At the same time, the investigation into the allegations will be important for determining whether any misconduct occurred and whether further action is required. The process must allow all parties to present their positions and should be guided by evidence rather than speculation. Minister Aucamp has therefore called on the media and public to allow the appropriate procedures to run their course until the matter has been concluded.

The OBP matter comes at a time when South African livestock farmers need reliable support as they deal with one of the country’s most serious FMD challenges. The government’s position is that vaccine procurement and pricing must serve the public interest, particularly when farmers are already facing significant financial pressures. The precautionary suspension of the Acting CEO is intended to safeguard governance while the allegations are properly considered, rather than to establish guilt before an investigation has taken place. Meanwhile, vaccination efforts will continue and farmers are encouraged to make use of the available processes to protect their animals. As the matter progresses, Minister Aucamp and OBP have indicated that further information will be provided when it is appropriate and lawful to do so, while the farming community remains focused on controlling FMD and protecting the future of South Africa’s livestock industry.