Scavengers at the Labasa landfill had attacked Labasa Town Council employees who tried to stop them from collecting condemned food after the recent floods.
Town administrator Doreen Robinson said as a result, they had to involve the military and police to keep scavengers away from the Namara landfill.
“The scavengers were getting in the way of our workers and even threatened them and they were also blocking off machinery that were hired to work in the landfill,” she said.
“These scavengers crossed the river from Cawaira area by boat.
“This is not healthy and they were told that they can get sick, even die, so we had to bring in the police and military to control the situation.”
She said the situation was presently under control. Scavengers, she said, had always been seen in the landfill area after a flood or cyclone.
“This time we had to be strict and put a total stop to it because they are dealing with condemned food and their lives matter.”
