Fat cakes and sweets land 75 kids in hospital

MORE than 70 pupils were rushed to hospital due to suspected food poisoning.

The 75 pupils from Dzumeri Primary School outside Giyani, Limpopo, started vomiting and others complained of stomach cramps on Thursday, 14 November. This is after they were fed porridge and milk from the School Nutrition Programme.

However, preliminary reports indicate that they also had fat cakes and sweets.

They were rushed to Nkhensani Hospital for screening.

The incident has left parents in distress, fearing for their kids' lives. They said they thought suspected food poisoning was only caused by products sold from spaza shops.

"We no longer know what to believe now because we thought kids would be safe in schools. Our kids' lives are no longer safe in and outside schools," one of the parents, Florah Masingi (42) said.

Other parents have urged the education department to move with speed in finding out what could have caused this.

"In the meantime, the school should stop feeding our kids because we're not sure if the incident was caused by the porridge and milk or the fat cakes and sweets," said another parent (36).

Parents want to understand how the School Nutrition Programme contributed to the ongoing crisis, and they're also calling on the department to inspect their suppliers.

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Limpopo education spokeswoman Mosebjane Kgaffe said all the pupils are in a stable condition.

"Inspectors will immediately start with investigations to establish the cause. As a precautionary measure, the school took all pupils, who were in contact with the few who showed symptoms, to hospital," Kgaffe said.

Provincial government spokesman Ndavhe Ramakuela assured the community and all partners that the health and safety of pupils is their top priority.

"Out of the 75 pupils who were observed at the hospital, we're relieved to report that 11 have remained for further overnight observation and are currently in a stable condition," Ramakuela said.

In reaction to the incident, the task team established by the provincial executive council a month ago is actively engaged in providing support to all affected pupils and their families.

"The team is also conducting thorough investigation into the food consumed by the pupils, as well as any other food sources that may have contributed to this situation," he said.

Ramakuela urged parents and guardians to remain calm and reach out to school officials if they have any concerns or questions regarding their kids' health and safety.

The incident happened as Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya was monitoring the return of food vendors in Ga-Maja Village outside Polokwane following the lifting of the suspension of food sales within school premises.