‘I would have done it too’ – SA reacts to Johann Rupert’s Covid-19 vaccine jab in Switzerland 

South Africans have taken to social media to voice their opinion on reports of billionaire Johann Rupert getting a Covid-19 vaccine jab in Switzerland.

According to Swiss publication Tages-Anzieger, Rupert was one of the 12 people who received the vaccine as part of its test from the Hirslanden hospital group in Thurgau, last week.

The Hirslanden Private Hospital Group announced earlier this month in a statement that it had been entrusted by Thurgau, a canton in eastern Switzerland, with the design and operation of vaccination centres, with the first one having opened on 14 January.

“In the canton of Thurgau, vaccinations have been carried out on people at risk in old people’s and nursing homes by mobile vaccination teams since January 4, 2021. At the same time, several vaccination centres are now being set up.

“Due to the limited number of vaccine doses available in Switzerland, when the Frauenfeld vaccination centre goes into operation, people over the age of 75 or people with chronic diseases who have the highest risk of severe Covid-19 will be vaccinated,” said the hospital.

ALSO READ: Johann Rupert mocks ‘blacks’ who buy BMWs and go to Taboo instead of saving

Hirslanden is owned by Mediclinic – which Rupert’s Remgro owns a 45% stake in.

In response, he was quoted as saying by the publication: “It is important to me to set an example for all the employees of my company. My message is: only by vaccinating will we be able to find our way out of this crisis.”

Rupert has been trending on social media, with Swiss politicians voicing their outrage.

@alain_berset⁩ ⁦@BAG_OFSP_UFSP⁩ versagt auch bei der Impfstrategie – nach den “nicht schützenden Masken”, der vorschnellen Aufhebung der Grenzkontrollen & dem fehlenden Testregime für die Altersheime. Jede Woche Verzögerung beim Impfen kostet Menschenleben + Existenzen pic.twitter.com/lLC1jkgLBR

— Thomas Aeschi (@thomas_aeschi) January 21, 2021

ALSO READ: Johann Rupert is now SA’s richest person

Back in South Africa, the reports have divided social media users, with some arguing that they would have done the same if they were as wealthy as Rupert, while others criticised his actions.

These were some of the reactions on social media:

https://twitter.com/TsikiMabala/status/1352512885738627075

So basically people are mad because Rupert has a private jet and he’s rich? pic.twitter.com/i6ezsWStwT

— Jan Van Potgieter???????? (@SciTheComedist) January 22, 2021

Don’t try to pretend like you wouldn’t have done what Rupert has done if you were that rich ???? pic.twitter.com/o9S47LPaNT

— Matšedi (@VincentMailola) January 22, 2021

People who were fighting for Africans not to be Guinea pigs are complaining that Rupert availed himself to be a Guinea pig in Europe…???? pic.twitter.com/EUXxxU8nSS

— Luzuko ????????⛪???????? (@LuzukoMngqibisa) January 22, 2021

There I was thinking Rupert got the vaccine in Swaziland kanti it’s Switzerland…. pic.twitter.com/CokLwUxkIS

Read more

Mzansi Magic drops biggies Umkhokha and My Brother’s Keeper in ‘strategic evolution’

— Nolly-M (@Nolly_Mthombeni) January 22, 2021

I dn’t get why u ppl are shocked that Rupert jumped into his private jet to get a vaccine in Switzerland at a clinic tht his family owns!He is Resident &shareholder in health group.Must he wait for the roll out, when he has access to this? Nami if I had, I would ‘ve done the same

— Kwena Molekwa (@Ruraltarain) January 22, 2021

Anyway, the Swiss are angry at Johann Rupert.

Good morning

— Tanya Junghans (@tanyajunghans) January 22, 2021

People who were saying that they don’t want the #COVID19 vaccine are mad that #Rupert jumped the cue?

— Ms_Gupta ???????? ❤️ (@African_Spring) January 22, 2021

If I had money like Rupert and influence at Mediclinic I would have done the same pic.twitter.com/gSy8vWnde0

— Gaddafi???????? (@DustSamuel) January 22, 2021

Compiled by Vhahangwele Nemakonde

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.