MEC for health warns against meat at Steenbok dumpsite
MEC Sasekani Manzini warned against the consumption of items that were dumped as they could cause a health hazard.
Braai smoke engulfed Steenbok and parts of Mangweni during a meat spectacle on August 17.
Big trucks were seen pulling up to the Steenbok dumpsite and some people got out and started offloading and dumping some meat. The community members did not waste any time collecting most of it and taking it back home. Some people carried it off on their heads or put it in wheelbarrows, and others even went to the extent of hiring bakkies.
One of the community members said they suspect the meat had come from local retailers, and that the meat still looked edible and fresh. “It is not the first time this has happened; we have had this meat before. They might have disposed of it because it would have expired, but we know there won’t be any food poisoning because we have done this before,” said one community member who did not wish to be named.
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The meat ranged from pork, beef and what some people described as buffalo meat.
“It is not every day one gets to indulge in red meat, because we all know how expensive it is. This weekend we are going to braai and have a good time with our families. I have also picked up insides that are seemingly from a buffalo, with its meat as well. There is no way I’m letting this go to waste,” added the community member.
The Mpumalanga MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, has, however, warned communities against consuming meat they find at dumpsites.
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“There is a reason why the meat was thrown away. It might have expired and might cause food poisoning for the consumers. Most times people overlook the expiry date labels, because they believe it’s just done for formalities. We must all work together with the municipality to ensure that even when the meat is disposed of, measures are taken to protect the people from picking it up. The retailers who are throwing the meat out need to also make sure they do that in a manner that the community’s people will not have access to it. We need to create awareness on the dangers of consuming things that have been thrown away,” said Manzini.
