A medical waste company that was found to be illegally dumping highly infectious raw waste is being investigated for corruption and fraud, the Environmental Affairs Department said on Sunday.
"One aspect of the investigation focused on the burying and dumping of truckloads of medical waste in and around Welkom in the Free State," said departmental spokesperson Albi Modise.
"However, this investigation, with the support of the South African Police Service, also includes allegations of corruption and fraud."
Wasteman, the country's biggest waste management company which boasts multimillion-rand contract with more than 150 hospitals and clinics, was raided by the Green Scorpions this week.
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'This poses a significant health risk' Search warrants were obtained to access the company's head office in Johannesburg, its incinerator at Klerksdorp, Durban treatment facility and Maximus Bricks in Welkom Industria.
"The investigation has uncovered that hundreds of tons of waste are rather being taken from the two facilities in KZN and North West to the Maximus Bricks site, to be illegally buried.
"This poses a significant health risk to the businesses and communities surrounding these areas, including the risk that significant harm may be caused to the environment, including the pollution of soil and underground water resources".
Modise said the company had been sending truckloads of the medical waste to be buried at different sites around Welkom instead of being treated and disposed of according to the law.
Anatomical waste found dumped included amputated legs, arms, placentas and foetuses.
Pharmaceutical waste included old tablets and medicine.
Other general medical waste found included syringes, used medical gloves, blood-stained clothes and blood samples.
Wasteman services provincial hospitals in Kwazulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, North West and the Western Cape.
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