Anthrax: Tests negative
2004-09-20 13:30
Pretoria - A powdery substance that arrived at the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry's Pretoria office through the mail last week was not anthrax, police said on Monday.
Inspector Percy Morokane said the police forensic laboratory found that the substance was not harmful.
"The material was found to be non-toxic and non-infectious."
He would not identify the substance or say if it was illegal.
Ten departmental employees were admitted to Pretoria's Unitas hospital for observation after coming into contact with the powder last Wednesday morning. They were discharged the following afternoon.
The group was made up of six security personnel, two registry staff, a contract cleaner and an acting director.
A letter, apparently containing a bursary application, was opened by registry staff who saw the powder and passed it on to security for closer examination.
The cleaner and acting director were in the vicinity when the letter was handled.
The ten were decontaminated on the spot before being ferried to hospital. The building was swept and declared safe after the package was seized.
Morokane said investigations were ongoing into the origins of the letter and the identity of the sender. He would not say who the sender was, but said investigators were busy tracking him.
"He will have to explain what his intentions were," Morokane said.
Asked if an arrest could be expected, he said: "If the need arises."
- SAPA