Medical waste was found washed up on uMhlanga beach last week.

The waste included used drip bags, a soiled nappy, sanitary wipes and syringe caps.

According to Deputy head of the Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries Department Christo Swart, the medical waste was definitely not dumped but was washed on to the beach. It is believed that the waste came from a vessel.

However, an industry insider told IOL News that the fact that the medical waste had washed ashore in one place is suspicious. He believes the waste could have been dumped near a river or down a manhole and washed through storm-water pipes on to shore. The insider raised concern that no further investigation is being done.

The waste was discovered by a jogger and reportedly removed by the Department of Health within an hour of being discovered.