Beware of bogus researchers – dept

The Limpopo health department, the Human Sciences Research Council and the South African Medical Research Council are warning about bogus Covid-19 researchers conning people under the pretext of being researchers from the department.

Recently, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister for Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande announced the launch of a survey aimed at rating the prevalence of Covid-19 antibodies in a representative sample of people in SA.

Ramaphosa said testing was voluntary and any attempt to vaccinate people against their will and knowledge was unethical and a violation of their rights.

But some bogus researchers are using the existence of the study to line their pockets.

Limpopo health MEC Phophi Ramathuba said her department had been inundated with calls from residents about imposters claiming to be researchers from her department drawing blood samples from community members.

“We encourage community members who happen to encounter these malpractices to immediately inform the police,” said Ramathuba.

The MEC said any researcher from the department, or conducting research with the permission of the department, would only access communities through established structures.

“We are also told these bogus researchers require about R1 500 from people to draw blood. We are working with the police to investigate the matter.”