More than 60 learners from two different schools were rushed to medical facilities on Thursday. The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed that, about 22 learners from Tlotlompho Primary School in Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane, were rushed to a local medical facility after falling sick at school in the morning. Out of 22, only four learners were transferred to a hospital.

QUESTIONABLE FOOD

Spokesperson for Gauteng Education, Steve Mabona, said the affected learners started complicating after eating snacks allegedly bought from a street vendor. "The said learners experienced vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and shortness of breath. Meanwhile some were released to parental care after medical attention, and those referred to hospital were also discharged. Necessary medical tests were conducted for investigation," said Mabona. In another separate incident, 40 learners from Reimolotswe Primary School in Winterveldt were also rushed to a local medical facility after consuming a type of snack called "dibombolina", which they allegedly bought from different hawkers around the school. "Only three were attended at a local facility and discharged, meanwhile about 37 were transferred and treated at the hospital after experiencing symptoms associated with diarrhoea, vomiting and headache and they were later discharged. Fortunately, all were discharged, and only one was admitted," said Mabona.

SPACE COOKIE SELLERS IN COURT

Meanwhile, the trio accused of selling muffins laced with dagga to 90 primary school kids from Pulamadibogo Primary in Soshanguve have been denied bail. They are facing 43 counts of attempted murder after allegedly selling muffins laced with cannabis to primary school learners in Soshanguve. The magistrate said the trio, 19-year-old Amukelani Nyulungu, 21-year-old Ofentse Maluleke and 29-year-old Katlego Matlala, did not show exceptional circumstances to be granted bail. The children were hospitalised after experiencing nausea, stomach cramps and some vomiting.

THEY MUST GO

The member of the school governing body ( SGB), Dipuo Kgasi said she was glad that the suspects were denied bail. "They almost killed our children,' she said. Kgasi said they still don't want street vendors operating outside the school premises and police are failing to assist them. "We have been chasing the street vendors operating outside the school for the longest of time. The police also failed us because they didn't give us support when we tried to remove them from the school,' said Kgasi. The matter was be postponed for further investigation.