The mystery surrounding the origin of more than 5, 000 medicine containers that washed up along East Beach in Port Alfred this week has deepened.
This is after food items have washed onto beaches in the Kouga Municipality even along Paradise Beach where chilli's washed ashore.
The Communications Officer from the Sarah Baartman Disaster Management Centre (SBDM) Natasha Peterson confirmed on Thursday that food items have washed onto beaches in Kouga Municipality after they were alerted by the Ndlambe Municipality on Tuesday.
She says all relevant role-players were activated which include the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA); Department of Health (DoH); South African Police Services (SAPS); Office of the Premier (OTP); Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE); Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), and the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT).
Peterson said the contents are believed to be from several ships which have lost containers along the South African coastline in the last few weeks.
SAMSA has issued directives to the shipping companies to clean up the contents from their containers, to commence within the next few weeks.
Community members are urged not to confiscate or consume these items.
Reports have also been received from goods washing up in Schoenmakerskop.
The public should contact their local municipality on 080 022 2238 if they come across containers or any foreign items along the coast or riverbanks.
