THE Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court has been “invaded” by pigeons that are now posing a serious health hazard to the more than 100 officials working in the building.
In at least one case a magistrate has been booked off work after falling ill after having a bad reaction to the dust, droppings and feathers from the birds.
“I was diagnosed with a lot of infections due to the problem,” Sawuti said.
“My kidneys, heart and lungs were affected. I almost died from that but the administrating staff are not taking this seriously.”
His medical records stated that he could not return to the court and his doctor requested he be transferred to the East London Magistrate’s Court.
Acting regional head for the justice department Andries Hartman said late yesterday that his office was attending to questions sent by the Dispatch regarding the matter but a response was not received at the time of going to print.
When the Dispatch visited the building yesterday only t
wo courts were operating and 16 dead pigeons were removed from a strong room as fumigation was taking place.
National Public Prosecutor Sithembiso Rafuza said the problem had affected the running of the court.
“We reported the problem after a magistrate was booked off sick. We did not want any prosecutors to contract any disease from the pigeons.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions is attending to the problem,” Rafuza said, adding that they had heard that people could even die from the infestation.
Some of the interpreters left the building after 1pm yesterday saying they were experiencing chest pains and itching from the fumigation taking place.
BCM’s Environmental Health manager Andile Falati instructed the department to get a pest control involved. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
Pigeon invasion sparks health scare in court
In at least one case a magistrate has been booked off work after falling ill after having a bad reaction to the dust, droppings and feathers from the birds.
“I was diagnosed with a lot of infections due to the problem,” Sawuti said.
“My kidneys, heart and lungs were affected. I almost died from that but the administrating staff are not taking this seriously.”
His medical records stated that he could not return to the court and his doctor requested he be transferred to the East London Magistrate’s Court.
Acting regional head for the justice department Andries Hartman said late yesterday that his office was attending to questions sent by the Dispatch regarding the matter but a response was not received at the time of going to print.
When the Dispatch visited the building yesterday only t
wo courts were operating and 16 dead pigeons were removed from a strong room as fumigation was taking place.
National Public Prosecutor Sithembiso Rafuza said the problem had affected the running of the court.
“We reported the problem after a magistrate was booked off sick. We did not want any prosecutors to contract any disease from the pigeons.
“The Director of Public Prosecutions is attending to the problem,” Rafuza said, adding that they had heard that people could even die from the infestation.
Some of the interpreters left the building after 1pm yesterday saying they were experiencing chest pains and itching from the fumigation taking place.
BCM’s Environmental Health manager Andile Falati instructed the department to get a pest control involved. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za
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