This is a second similar incident to hit Mpumalanga Province in a week.
It has been reported that 24 pupils from a Mpumalanga school were hospitalised on Thursday afternoon after allegedly eating snacks they had bought at their local tuck shop during break time.
The Enzani Primary School’s pupils in Matsulu were taken to Rob Ferreira Hospital for medical attention.
Mpumalanga education spokesperson Gerald Sambo said about the incident: “According to the report from the school, the learners were complaining about abdominal pains and some started vomiting.
“The cause of the sickness is not clear at the moment however it is alleged that the affected learners procured some snacks from one of local spaza shops.”
Matsulu is a community which is situated at about 40km east of Mbombela city centre.
Gerald Sambo added: “The school principal notified their parents and immediately rushed the learners to Rob Ferreira hospital where they are currently receiving medical attention.”
He said according to the information at their disposal, all the pupils are in a stable condition at the moment.
This incident comes just after Mpumalanga education MEC Cathy Dlamini had urged school management and school governing bodies to be vigilant about what the pupils eat inside and outside the schools premises.
Last week, 21 pupils from Marhagi Secondary School in Verena, near Bronkhorstspruit, were also hospitalised following suspected food poisoning. The pupils claimed they had eaten atchaar brought from a hawker outside the school premises.
“Everyone must play a meaningful role in this regard and not take such matters for granted. Basic hygiene practices, such as washing of hands after using restrooms or before eating must be strictly adhered to at all times,” said Dlamini.
Gerald Sambo said the department was monitoring the developments closely and would issue regular updates on the status of the pupils.
Source: SowetanLIVE
