Medical waste from Letaba Hospital flowing into Letaba River, DA to report matter to Human Rights Commission
13 March 2018
Following an oversight visit to the Letaba Hospital in Tzaneen yesterday, where medical waste from the hospital is flowing directly into the Letaba River, the DA will report the matter to the South African Human rights Commission (SAHRC) to request an urgent investigation.
The DA found human excretion, blood, toxic waste and other dangerous medical waste spewing from the hospital directly into the Letaba River. This is due to the pump station, which is supposed to pump toxic waste to a purifying plant, not being operational for over six months.
The DA has already filed a complaint with the Environmental Management Inspectorate, better known as the Blue Scorpions, under the Department of Environmental Affairs to probe this hospital for neglecting this plant for over six months that pose hazardous health risks to the residents.
The reason for the inactive pump station is allegedly the result of Eskom removing the breakers for the pump station last year, rendering it useless. This is apparently due to the excessive debts owed to Eskom by the Mopani District Municipality.