Yoghurt link to post office shutdown

THE source of a mysterious white powder that closed down South Africa’s largest mail sorting depot has been found.

In a time of fear over coronavirus outbreaks and possible terrorism attacks, it comes as relief that the powdery substance that spilled from a parcel on Thursday night apparently has a prosaic source: a company in the US that sells yoghurt-making kits.

Officials tracked down the intended recipient of the parcel from the company, who told them what she had ordered. However, officials are still waiting for the results of tests that will ascertain the composition of the powder, which caused 18 employees at the Witspos mail sorting centre in Johannesburg to apparently fall ill.

“They experienced nausea and fever and were taken to hospital, but all have been discharged,” said Johan Kruger, a spokesperson for the SA Post Office (Sapo).

The incident at 7pm resulted in staff from Johannesburg emergency management services rushing to the centre and environmental teams disinfecting the working area, and all operations being halted. By yesterday evening work had resumed.

A Sapo employee wellness management team was also sent to the centre, tasked with contacting the families of the affected employees and debriefing staff.

Kruger said the last time Sapo had to deal with such an event was in 2004. “We have standard procedures that include evacuation and notifying local authorities.”