Body bag dump site uncovered in KZN
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Empangeni resident Fred Lubbe was more than disturbed last year when he discovered a number of used body bags from a mortuary had been dumped in a sugarcane field near his house.
But, not long afterwards they disappeared and he thought no more of it – until last week, when he found more of the same type of bags in the same area.
“On Thursday, I noticed more dumped body bags at the same spot and at least four more body bags were seen in the bush. This is medical waste and has to be incinerated,” Lubbe said.
An initial theory that contractors assigned for the removal and disposal of medical waste from the hospitals may be responsible was dismissed by the department of health (DoH).
“The DoH has a contract with Compass Waste Medical Services, a reputable company that collects waste from medical facilities and transports it to Durban for disposal,” said spokesperson for the King Cetshwayo District, Sibongiseni Manqele.
Compass Waste Medical Services sales manager Sam Immelman said: “Used body bags are placed into the infectious waste stream. A permitted company will then collect the sealed container or box set/s to their treatment facility where it will be treated, either via autoclave or incineration.” – Caxton News Service