Cape Town — The Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) Departments of Education and Health are working with law enforcement to determine what caused 43 pupils from Ngaqa Primary School to fall ill with alleged food poisoning.
According to Provincial Spokesperson, Muzi Mhlambi 43 pupils allegedly started vomiting and complaining of stomach aches after they had allegedly eaten snacks sold by a nearby vendor, TimesLIVE reported.
The 43 pupils were taken to a clinic and some of them were moved to Hlabisa Hospital for specialised care. Mhlambi said they were working with stakeholders to investigate the cause of the incident and the provincial health department was awaiting the medical report.
Officials in KwaZulu-Natal are inspecting products from a supermarket in the province. This was after another case of suspected food poisoning was reported. Pupils at iNgaqa Primary School in Mtubatuba were rushed to a local clinic after they complained of stomach pain. eNCA’s Zanele… pic.twitter.com/MHDNtFmqqB
— eNCA (@eNCA) October 22, 2024
According to IOL, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said there should be stricter regulations for vendors selling snacks outside the school. The DA’s Sakhile Mngadi said pupils said 22 learners were rushed to hospital.
“While we understand that law enforcement of by-laws remains within the jurisdiction of municipalities, we call MEC Sipho Hlomuka to work with Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi to tighten regulations allowing persons to sell food items to school children either within the school property or within 500m of a school in the province,” Mngadi said.
The Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) have called on the Department of Basic Education to invest in food handlers in schools that are employed by School Governing Bodies to ensure proper training and food handling and resources with proper hygiene practices followed to ensure learners’ safety.
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) is treating these incidents of food poisoning at schools across the country as a potential threat to the security of the country and its citizens.
[FOOD POISONING] The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) is currently treating the recent spate of food poisoning deaths, especially among school children allegedly emanating from foodstuff (particularly snacks) sold by foreign-owned spaza, as a… pic.twitter.com/xetiYxksBd
— Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (@RSA_JCPS) October 22, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
