Shoprite Supermarket has launched an investigation following a complaint by a resident who found refuse allegedly containing death certificates dumped near his home in Wells Estate in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The Wells Estate resident told Algoa FM News that he discovered the death certificates and doctors' notes when he looked through the papers on Wednesday last week Wednesday.
He said some of the documents referred to Shoprite’s Korsten branch, in Stanford Road.
The resident informed the manager of the branch who said he would investigate the matter.
When Algoa FM News approached Shoprite for comment, they said senior management had visited the site and had met with the resident who made the discovery.
The supermarket said that it made use of reputable waste disposal companies and viewed this matter in a serious light.
The Metro’s mayoral committee head for public health, Lance Grootboom, said his department would also be looking into the matter.
He said if the waste was dumped on municipal land, then it would be a case of illegal dumping.
Grootboom said the Metro currently issues fines of between R1 000 and R2 000 for illegal dumping, but they are looking into the possibility of increasing this amount especially if a business is involved.
He said his waste management team would investigate the matter and report back to him.
Speaking on the issue of death certificates that were allegedly disposed of in the area as well, Grootboom said it was illegal to do so.
He said the Department of Home Affairs would have to become part of the investigation if his team does find that death certificates were disposed of in this manner.
“Where we come in as the waste department is illegal dumping,” said Grootboom. “Where there is private and confidential information such as a death certificate then I believe it should be brought to the attention of the Department of Home Affairs to investigate.”
Grootboom added that there is an inter-governmental relationship between local, provincial and national government and that the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will inform them so that they can conduct their own investigation.
Shoprite has a funeral policy on offer to its customers.
It is not yet clear which of the discarded documents were linked to the supermarket and this will form part of the investigation.
