Body bag dump site uncovered in Empangeni
Investigations are underway by the DOH and Environmental Affairs to determine who is responsible of illegally disposing medical waste, including body bags, in Empangeni
A FARM road near Empangeni Station has emerged as a popular site for the dumping of body bags.
Fred Lubbe initially noticed a number of discarded bags near dense bush and sugar cane not far from his home late last year.
‘In December I found four bags, one in the sugar cane and the others scattered in the bush on the opposite side of the road.
‘On closer inspection I realised they were empty body bags from the mortuary.’
Lubbe was disturbed by his find, but after some time the bags vanished.
‘On Thursday last week I noticed more dumped body bags at the same spot.’
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Lubbe escorted the ZO to the site where at least four more body bags could be seen in the bush.
The labels indicated that one belonged to Ngwelezana Hospital, while the other, for an infant, belonged to the Lower Umfolozi War Memorial Hospital.
‘As far as I am concerned this is medical waste and has to be incinerated. It is hazardous material which cannot just be dumped anywhere,’ Lubbe said.
The ZO met with two officials from the Department of Health (DoH) and an official from the Department of Environmental Affairs to clarify the issue.
An initial theory that contractors assigned for the removal and disposal of medical waste from the hospitals may be responsible was dismissed by the DoH.
‘The DoH has a contract with Compass Waste Medical Services, a reputable company that collects waste from medical facilities across the province and transports it to Durban for disposal,’ said spokesperson for the King Cetshwayo District, Sibongiseni Manqele.
Manqele reiterated that the company would not be involved in such illegal activity.
‘The DoH distances itself from the illegal dumping of hazardous or contaminated waste owing to the fact that we have a dedicated contractor who deals with the collection and transportation of medical waste to a proper disposal facility.
‘The DoH will investigate the matter together with the Department of Environmental Affairs,’ said Manqele.
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