25 September 2025
Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - Biohazard concerns have been raised after a fire at the Averda medical waste incinerator outside Randlespark last week.
The incinerator is South Africa’s largest medical waste incineration plant. According to reports, the fire on Tuesday September 16 destroyed parts of the site that handle up to 800 tons of hazardous medical and pharmaceutical waste every month.
On Friday, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment (DFFE) confirmed the incident, saying the Green Scorpions have already visited the site on the morning of the fire “to monitor adherence to the requirements of the warning previously issued and conditions of the authorisations”.
Although the cause of the fire is unknown, the DFFE confirmed the facility, which handles infectious, pathological, sharps, chemical, cytotoxic and pharmaceutical waste, have been under scrutiny for a long time.
“In February 2025, a compliance inspection was conducted and a warning with specific requirements was issued. It has been reporting on these requirements and remains under close monitoring,” the DFFE said.
Officials are also probing whether Averda stored excessive volumes of waste on the site. The company, whose head office is in Dubai, has yet to respond.
