SAPS Official Sought Ozempic from Boyfriend's Company
In a notable testimony at South Africa's Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, a senior police official revealed she requested Ozempic from her boyfriend's pharmaceutical company due to difficulties obtaining it from pharmacies. This story spotlights the widespread challenges with Ozempic shortages in South Africa, driven by its dual role in managing type 2 diabetes and off-label weight loss. Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, the South African Police Service's (SAPS) Section Head of Quality Management, shared these details during proceedings examining potential irregularities in police tenders and relationships.
The Madlanga Commission Testimony: Key Details
Brigadier Rachel Matjeng testified that she was in an "on and off" romantic relationship with Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala since 2017. Matlala owns MedicCare24, a company that recently secured a large tender from SAPS. During the hearing, evidence included a WhatsApp exchange where Matjeng messaged: "my medication? My Ozempic."
When questioned by Commissioner Madlanga, Matjeng explained: "It's a medication commissioner. So normally you will struggle to get it from the chemist. So, they had a chemist that they were buying Ozempic from and I then requested him, as a boyfriend to say can I have my Ozempic." She emphasized that Matlala often gave her gifts as part of their relationship.
The testimony also addressed related allegations. Matjeng denied undergoing a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) procedure, clarifying: "No BBL, just Ozempic." Concerns were raised about the legality of the procurement, given Matlala's status as a suspected crime boss and his company's SAPS tender. This exchange underscores potential conflicts of interest in the inquiry's focus on tender processes and personal interactions.
What is Ozempic? A Primer on This GLP-1 Medication
Ozempic is a prescription medication primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient, semaglutide, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone. This helps regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin release, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite.
Beyond glycemic control, Ozempic is indicated to reduce cardiovascular and kidney risks in adults with type 2 diabetes and established heart disease. Administered weekly via injection pens, as seen in production lines at Novo Nordisk's facility in Hillerod, Denmark, it has gained massive popularity.
Although not approved for weight loss, Ozempic is widely used off-label for this purpose due to its significant effects on reducing body weight—often 10-15% in clinical settings—through appetite suppression and improved metabolic function.
How Ozempic Works for Diabetes and Weight Management
- Glucose Control: Enhances insulin secretion in response to meals while suppressing glucagon.
- Cardiovascular Benefits: Lowers risk of major adverse cardiac events, as supported by trials like SUSTAIN.
- Weight Loss Mechanism: Promotes satiety, delays nutrient absorption, and may influence brain reward centers related to food intake.
These actions make Ozempic a cornerstone in metabolic health, but high demand has led to global supply constraints, including in South Africa.
Ozempic Shortages in South Africa: Why It's Hard to Get
Matjeng's testimony explicitly notes the struggle to obtain Ozempic from pharmacies ("chemists"), a common issue. Novo Nordisk has reported ongoing shortages since 2023, fueled by off-label weight loss prescriptions amid social media hype from celebrities and influencers. In South Africa, pharmacies often face stockouts, long waitlists, or inflated prices on the black market.
This scarcity affects patients with type 2 diabetes who rely on it for blood sugar stability and risk reduction. Regulatory bodies like SAHPRA (South African Health Products Regulatory Authority) monitor supplies, but demand outpaces production. Matjeng's alternative sourcing through Matlala's MedicCare24—a firm with pharmacy connections—highlights how personal networks sometimes fill the gap, raising ethical questions in official contexts.
