The makeshift laboratory discovered in Sabie
By Kopano Dibakwane
A disruptive operation conducted by members of the South African Police Service(SAPS) led to the discovery of a makeshift laboratory next to a cemetery at Simile township in Sabie, on 5 June.
According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, it is suspected that the ‘laboratory’, which is situated behind an informal settlements, is used to process gold and silver through chemical manufacturing. He said that harzadous items, which include empty containers of Sodium Cyanide, were found on the scene.
“ To the members’ dismay, the ‘laboratory’, is easily accessible to the community members, including children. Water drainage system from the said ‘laboratory’ is channelled down the hill to the river. As a result of the spillage, there are great possibilities of contamination of the water in the river, which could be hazardous to both human and wildlife,” said Mdhluli.
