The NW Hawks arrested a 54-year-old man, Skori James Lewane for the unlawful possession of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) on Sunday.
According to Capt. Tlangelani Rikhotso, the Hawks spokesperson, Lewane was found with the 2 262 ARV tablets, valued at about R63 000, in his possession.
Rikhotso says the suspect is a former Potchefstroom Hospital paramedic and was arrested after a tip-off.
‘Members of the Hawks conducted an intelligence-driven operation after receiving information that the suspect was allegedly selling drugs in Ikageng. Upon their arrival at his home, he was found packing the said ARVs,’ said Rikhotso.
He was subsequently arrested and appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, he will appear again, shortly.
According to the Ikageng police spokesperson, Sgt Kelebogile Trom, the suspect alleges that he bought the tablets from another person for R6 500.
She says he had 79 containers of the ARVs in his possession.
The provincial head of the Priority Crime Investigation Directorate, Maj-Genl Linda Mbana, warned that people who have connections in hospitals should not abuse their power by stealing drugs that are there to benefit the sick.
‘We have no mercy on people who enrich themselves at the state’s expense,’ she warned.
*ARV medication is widely used by HIV positive patients in South Africa to control the virus.
