Hazardous medical waste stolen in vehicle hijacking in Khayelitsha

Capetonians are urged to remain vigilant for sightings of medical waste which might be dumped by criminals who hijacked the vehicle transporting it.

The boxes and sealed containers of waste, which had been collected from clinics in Khayelitsha, contain sharps including used syringes, as well as infectious materials used in healthcare, and could poses as a risk to the public if mishandled.

It’s believed that the waste was stolen on Friday afternoon, when an Averda healthcare waste removal vehicle was hijacked by armed men in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. The truck was transporting waste from local clinics to a specialist medical waste treatment facility at Killarney Gardens at the time of the hijacking.

Averda’s representative, Marika Human, said that the driver, who was held at gunpoint, was eventually released unhurt and is receiving support, including counselling, following this ''traumatic incident''.

“We urge members of the public to report any sightings of the boxes and/or bags to SAPS, and strongly advised people to not touch or open the boxes,” says Marika Human.

“We have a team on standby ready to collect and safely dispose of the waste when it is located,” she added.

The incident has been reported to the South African Police Services (SAPS), the Provincial and National Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries who are responsible for waste management and the clinics involved.

 

Done By: Mitchum George