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South African billionaire Johann Rupert, whom Forbes lists as the fourth-richest person in Africa, was among the first to be vaccinated in Switzerland before the official launch of the local vaccination programme.
The tycoon reportedly flew to Switzerland in December 2020 and was vaccinated at a Swiss private clinic under the Hirslanden hospital group in the canton of Thurgau.
The group is owned by South Africa s Mediclinic, of which investment holding company Remgro holds a 45 per cent stake. Mr Rupert is chairman of Remgro.
Last month, the billionaire rejected the accusation that he jumped the queue, saying that as he is 70 years old and has co-morbidity issues as defined by Swiss law, his physician arranged the vaccination for him.
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Johann Rupert jumps queue for Covid-19 vaccine, angers Swiss officials
By Rudolph Nkgadima
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Cape Town - Swiss politicians are up in arms after South Africaâs second richest man, billionaire Johann Rupert received the Covid vaccine at a Swiss clinic his family owns before it was available to the public.
According to Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, Rupert flew to Switzerland in December âdesperately looking for a vaccineâ.
Rupert received a vaccine from the Hirslanden hospital group in Frauenfeld, the capital of Thurgau. Hirslanden is owned by South Africaâs Mediclinic, which Rupertâs Remgro owns a 45% stake in.
A spokesman for the clinic, Hirslanden, confirmed the report, saying the 70-year-old Rupert qualifies as a âtestâ patient before the scheme s official start because he is overweight, diabetic, and has high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
Billionaire perks - SA reacts after Johann Rupert jumps queue for Covid-19 jab
22 January 2021 2:04 PM
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There have been mixed reactions from South Africans online following reports that billionaire Johann Rupert jumped the vaccination queue in Switzerland.
According to reports, SA billionaire Johann Rupert was one of the first people to get a Covid-19 jab in Switzerland before the official launch of the country s vaccination drive.
Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger reported that Rupert flew to Switzerland in December in desperate search of a vaccine.
It s understood that he was vaccinated at a Swiss private clinic in Frauenfeld, the capital of Thurgau.