Source of powder scare found

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

And in a time of fear over coronavirus outbreaks and possible terrorism attacks, the powdery substance that spilled from a parcel on Thursday night had an apparent legit origin. It came from a company in the US that sells yoghurt-making kits.

Officials tracked down the recipient of the parcel who told them what she ordered.

But officials are still waiting for the results from tests that will ascertain just what the powder is that resulted in 18 employees at the Witspos mail sorting centre in Joburg falling ill.

“They experienced nausea and fever and were taken to hospital, but all have been discharged,” said Johan Kruger, spokesperson for the

South African Post Office.

The incident, that occurred at 7pm on Thursday, resulted in the Joburg Emergency Management Services being scrambled. Bio management and environmental teams had to disinfect the working area, after all operations were halted.

But by yesterday evening operations resumed at the centre.

A Sapo employee wellness management team was dispatched to the centre. Their job was to make contact with the families of the affected employees and debrief staff at the Witspos mail centre.

Kruger said it was an unusual incident, and the last time the post office had to deal with such an event was in 2004.

“We have standard procedures that include evacuating the area, and notifying the local authorities,” he said.

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