The DA in North West conducted an oversight inspection at the Ventersdorp Landfill Site and, shockingly, we found discarded medical waste and dumped patient records from a local clinic and hospital.

We reported this to the MEC of Health, Madoda Sambata, insisting on an urgent investigation into this negligent behaviour. Medical waste recklessly discarded poses a serious health risk to people and the disposal of it is heavily regulated to prevent infection of numerous diseases. Patients also have a right to privacy, and medical records must be safely stored for at least six years after they become dormant. (See images here, here, here, here and here) 

We are also concerned with the unacceptable state of the facility and the risks it poses to the environment and the health of residents and have lodged a complaint with the Green Scorpions for investigation.

It is quite evident that the landfill site fails to comply with the national norms and standards for the disposal of waste to landfill as regulated in the National Environment Management: Waste Act. 

One cell remains incomplete and the other is unused. The landfill site is not properly fenced or secured, and the dumped waste is not being classified. (See images here and here)  

Due to the poor fencing, people enjoy free access to the landfill site. We sadly noticed people collecting dumped expired foodstuffs for consumption while children were playing around the landfill site exposing them to dumped toxic substances putting them at risk of injury or contracting infections. (See images here and here)  

The JB Marks Local Municipality must also account for the poor state of this landfill site and should urgently take action to fence and secure the site, ensure proper access control, bring the incomplete and unused cells into operation and enforce the regulated dumping of waste.   

The Green Scorpions must intervene and hold all stakeholders responsible for the poor state of the landfill site accountable.  They must also assess the level of environmental degradation caused by the poor operation of the landfill site, as well as the health impact on the residents living nearby. 

 

Issued by Freddy Sonakile - DA Spokesperson on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, North West