The Department of Basic Education said it is concerned over the increase in the number of learners suffering food poisoning, especially in school. This as seven kids recently died after allegedly eating toxic snacks bought from spaza shops and vendors. This month alone, over 200 learners in different provinces were rushed to hospitals after they allegedly ate contaminated food and snacks bought from spaza shops and vendors.

TEACHING AND LEARNING DISRUPTED

Department national spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said the incidents of food poisoning have disrupted teaching and learning as the majority of the cases affected learners during school hours. "As a result, school time has been directed towards assisting the affected learners with medical attention. In addition, the psycho-social impact of such incidents continues to have negative effects on both the learners and teachers," Mhlanga said. Mhlanga also said the incidents contribute to the mental health of children and teachers, adding that it needs to be dealt with. He said the department has also noted that many of the poisoning cases come from schools and vendors. "In all the cases, learners have consumed items bought from vendors and spaza shops in and around schools. The Department of Basic Education appreciates the work being done by various government departments and other organ states to address this matter," he said.

SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN SOWETO KIDS' DEATHS

Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi said on Friday, while briefing the media during the ANC NEC sub-committee on peace and stability meeting, that four suspects were arrested in connection with the deaths of the six Soweto children who died earlier this month after allegedly eating toxic snacks bought from a local spaza shop. Motsoaledi said a chemical agent has been confirmed as the substance responsible for the children's deaths. The Minister said the arrests come after authorities got information from spaza shop owners, who said they bought the chemical from a shop at a mall, which they suspect to have contaminated the food. "They did confess that there is an illegal chemical, which they buy from their mall. Officials visited that mall, and they confiscated 1,456 grams of that chemical. Four people were arrested, one man and three women; two of them were given bail of R2,000 while the others are still in custody," Motsoaledi said. He added that chemical pathologists, forensic pathologists, and epidemiologists have been brought in to investigate the chemical.