A Welkom businessman implicated in the illegal dumping of medical waste is applying for bail today in the local magistrates' court. The businessman, Gavin Brasher, owns a brick-works in the Free State Goldfields town.

Brasher was arrested by the police and the Green Scorpions yesterday. Head of the Green Scorpions Sonnyboy Baphela says Brasher was arrested after allegations that he was intimidating state witnesses. He says the state will be opposing bail.

A number of illegal medical waste dumping sites were uncovered in the Welkom area last year. About 3 000 tons of medical waste was found at five illegal dumping sites. Last week, Water and Environmental Affairs Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi defended her department from allegations that it is dragging its feet in dealing with the illegal dumping of medical waste in Welkom in the Northen Free State. She said her department intended to follow due process in addressing the issue.