REFILWE MEKOA
An illegal medical waste dumping site is causing health hazards for residents of Batho Location in Mangaung.
This is according to Free State department of health’s waste management assistant director, Samuel Seate. He said the dumping site, which is situated in an industrial area near Batho is reason for concern as it is a threat to the health of the community.
Seate explained that there has to be a licence for the storage of medical waste, which should be kept in a storeroom and be burnt in an incinerator. He added that the medical waste has been burnt on the dumping site, which causes poisonous gas that gets to be inhaled by residents. Seate said people’s lives are exposed to danger.
“We would like to see the speedy removal of the waste here so that it can be kept at a safe place. It is our wish that our people are safe,” he added.
Seate said that the dumping site belonged to former Free State forensic pathologist, Dr Leon Wagner, who was charged by the department of environmental affairs for the illegal storage of medical waste and who is out on bail. He says residents are still exposed to various diseases through the poisonous gas.
“Various diseases that are transmitted by blood will be found around this illegal dumping site,” he stated.
Wagner’s case has been postponed for further investigation and he is expected to appear at the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on 22 January 2015 in connection with illegally keeping medical waste.
