International
Rupert responds to Swiss #Covid19 vaccination uproar─── 09:44 Mon, 25 Jan 2021
Johann Rupert, reputed to be South Africa’s second richest man, confirmed on Friday that he received a Covid-19 vaccination at a private hospital in Switzerland, however, was “not involved” in the process of securing the appointment.
The move has drawn outrage in Switzerland, with Rupert being accused of using his influence to skip to the front of the queue even before the launch of the vaccination campaign in Switzerland.
According to a Swiss newspaper, Rupert received the vaccination at a hospital owned by the Hirslanden Group, which is in turn owned by JSE-listed Mediclinic International.
Rupert’s own JSE-listed investment group Remgro has a significant stake in Mediclinic.
When asked about accusations of jumping the queue to get the vaccination, he replied that he was not involved in the appointment as his doctor had set it up.
He also points out that at aged 70 he was in a high-risk category, has comorbidity as recognised by Swiss Law, and has also been paying Swiss Health Insurance for over 30 years.
