Cape Town — 24 learners from the Enzani primary School in Mpumalanga were rushed to hospital after they fell ill, allegedly due to consuming snacks bought from a spaza shop outside the school.
The Mpumalanga Education Department confirmed that the learners were rushed to the Rob Ferreira Hospital in the City of Mbombela Local Municipality after they had allegedly complained of abdominal pains, while some students started vomiting, IOL reported.
The Department said the cause of the sickness was not clear but it is alleged that it was caused from the snacks bought at the spaza shop.
“The school principal notified their parents and immediately rushed the learners to Rob Ferreira hospital where they are currently receiving medical attention,” the department said.
The learners are in a stable condition but the MEC for Education, Cathy Dlamini, urged school management teams, school governing bodies and parents to remain vigilant about what learners eat in and around school.
“Everyone must play a meaningful role in this regard and not take such matters for granted. Basic hygiene practices, such as washing hands after using restrooms or before eating must be strictly adhered to at all times,” Dlamini said.
The department said it would closely monitor the developments with regular updates on the status of the learners.
Twenty-four pupils have been rushed to hospital in Mpumalanga in yet another case of suspected food poisoning. It’s claimed that the kids fell ill after consuming snacks from a spaza shop outside their school in Matsulu. #Newzroom405‘s @mwelimasilela elaborates. pic.twitter.com/qWYHzfGxjq
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 24, 2024
According to Mpumalanga Education Department spokesperson, Gerald Sambo, he said the department has received a report from the school on the incident, Newzroom Afrika reported.
He said the department suspects it is from the food bought at the spaza shops but would wait for the reports from the department of health first.
He said it was important that all relevant parties worked together to ensure the safety of the learners, but the spaza shop owners also have to take responsibility.
“Also, the people who are selling these things, need to be monitored and we are going to work together with our sister department to come up with a campaign that will assist us because it is not only learners that are affected, but also people in the community,” Sambo said.
Sambo, who was at the hospital, said the learners had recovered and looked stable but will need the necessary medication before they can be released to their parents.
[WATCH] Twenty-four pupils have been rushed to hospital in Mpumalanga in yet another case of suspected food poisoning. It’s reported that the learners fell ill after consuming snacks from a spaza shop outside their school. Mpumalanga education department spokesperson Gerald… pic.twitter.com/Mx5tHN2a5Y
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 24, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
