Dirty adult nappies, injection needles and bloodstained bandages were discovered by congregants of the All Saints Anglican Church in Bellair in their church yard last weekend.

The medical waste was in pink plastic bags and also included surgical gloves, drugs and a used drip. It was hidden by cut tree branches and was discovered by congregants who were inspecting damage on the property caused by a strong wind.

Irene Dlamini, who lives on the Durban church premises, said the dumping happened about three weeks ago.

The congregants believe that the dumping was done by a medical company, which used to have its head offices on the church premises.

Churchwarden Melony Smith said the company was evicted two months ago after it had failed to pay rent.

A spokesman for the eThekwini municipality, Thabo Mofokeng, said the city had strict rules on the transporting and disposal of medical waste, and its health department would conduct an investigation to establish where the waste came from and who was responsible.

Source: iol