The Environmental Management Inspectorate (Green Scorpions) today, 3 November 2010 declared the four illegal health care risk waste (medical waste) disposal sites in Welkom safe for use. This declaration follows the close out inspections conducted by the Green Scorpions at the sites.
The Green Scorpions have expressed their satisfaction with the clean up and rehabilitation process at Maximus Bricks, Jonkersrus farm, Welkom showgrounds and the Harmony Gold property.
The sites are free of any medical waste and have been rehabilitated accordingly. A criminal case is proceeding in relation to this matter with the next court date being 29 November 2010. On this date a number of other parties will be added to the already nine accused in this case.
Maximus Bricks was raided in November 2009 and a significant amount of medical waste was found to be buried on the site, including sharps, viles, syringes, drips, dirty bandages and general medical waste. The execution of further search warrants uncovered illegally dumped medical waste at the other three sites.
The clean up of the sites commenced in March 2010 with strict conditions being set by the department for the removal, transport and disposal of the medical waste.
To access further information click on the link below: http://www.environment.gov.za//Documents/Publications/2010Nov3/welkom_medicalwaste_inspection.htm.pdf
Enquiries:
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871
