20 Apr 2020

Jwaneng Police, together with the town council’s department of environmental health are hunting for culprits who illegally dumped clinical waste at an old quarry near Kaduwe lands in the outskirts of Jwaneng. 

The authorities said that although the waste was reportedly about three weeks old, it was only reported to them this Saturday. 

“We were shocked when arrived there. Clinical waste is very hazardous to human health, animals and the environment and it was really shocking to see it illegally dumped in this magnitude. We are only used to illegal dumping of household waste and rubble from construction sites, but not this. It is the first time we experienced it,” Jwaneng Town Council (JTC) chief environmental health officer, Mr Levy Chezuva said in an interview. 

Mr Chezuva also said that the council in conjunction with the Jwaneng police, would ensure that the culprits were brought to book and would be liable to a fine, a prison sentence or even withdrawal of their licenses. 

He also said that they were baffled as to why the person decided to dump the waste in the bush even though Kanye and Jwaneng had incinerators. 

“We can only assume that he was trying to avoid charges for incineration services, but then the charges are not that hefty to warrant risks to human health. We cannot also say that he found the incinerator at Jwaneng closed because companies that want to use it can always contact us if running late so that we make arrangements to open for them, so we are really lost for words,” he said. 

Mr Chezuva also promised that while investigations were still ongoing, they would collect the waste and safely dispose it, with the costs passed to the culprit once found. 

“We cannot leave the waste lying here while investigating because human health is our priority,” he said. 

Kgosi Kelapile Sesanyane who overseers Kaduwe lands indicated that the waste was a danger to their kids who often play in that area as well as their cattle that drink at a nearby pond. 

He also appreciated the authorities for their promise to collect the waste even though it took a bit long. 

A farmer at the Kaduwe lands, Mr Kabelo Lemme said that he and Kgosi Sesanyane reported the matter to Jwaneng authorities, but said that it took long for action to be taken.

He said there was confusion as to whose jurisdiction the area falls between JTC and Mabutsane sub-district. 

Mr Lemme said that their concerns were mostly for their cattle and kids, most of whom he said might not be able to distinguish dangerous objects, especially that the waste included objects unfamiliar to them like blood pints. Ends