More than twenty learners from Mshuluzane Mayisela Primary School in Zithobeni in Bronkhorstspruit were rushed to hospital after they fell ill allegedly from eating snacks. It's alleged that the 25 learners bought the snacks from street vendors outside the school.

KIDS GOT SICK SOON AFTER CONSUMING SNACKS

Gauteng Education spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said the learners' bodies started itching and they also experienced stomach pains approximately 30 minutes after consuming the said snacks. "Emergency services were called and a total of 25 learners were transported to local medical facilities for treatment. Out of the 25 learners who were affected by the food poisoning, 22 have since been discharged after receiving treatment. Two learners were taken to private medical facilities by their parents and one learner remains at Zithobeni Clinic, where they are still under medical observation. The condition of the remaining learner is being closely monitored," Mabona said.

AUTHORITIES TO INVESTIGATE

Mabona also confirmed that law enforcement and health authorities are investigating the incident to determine the safety of the products being sold by the street vendors to prevent future occurrences. Education MEC Matome Chiloane has urged parents, guardians and schools to be vigilant. "Our priority is the health and safety of our children. We wish the affected learners a full and speedy recovery,' he said. 

In another incident yesterday, 47 primary school learners, aged between 9 and 14, from Rapelego Primary School in New Eersterust in Hammanskraal were rushed to different medical facilities for treatment in a suspected food poisoning incident. According to the Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona, the kids consumed a bar of chocolate sold to them by an unknown man for R2. "The chocolates were sold and they were very cheap. It is a brand that is well known at R2 per chocolate, so it would be grabbed fast. That is why you would then see that many of these learners would have been affected. Some would pop out R1 each and get it because it was going for R2,' he said. This morning, the Gauteng Health Department confirmed that all 47 learners have been discharged from various medical facilities.