By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) confirmed that a Grade 3 boy from the school in Tshepisong, Roodepoort, died due to alleged food poisoning.
According to the department, two boys from Onkgopotse Tiro Primary School in Tshepisong, Roodepoort, complained of stomach cramps in class and were rushed to Tshepisong clinic.
“Unfortunately, after few minutes of receiving medical attention, one learner was certified dead. Accordingly, the surviving learner was transferred to Leratong Hospital for further medical treatment, and he is in stable condition,” said the department’s spokesperson Steve Mabona.
It’s reported that the two pupils bought and ate a pack of biscuits from a local spaza shop in the area.
This comes as two other incidents of suspected food poisoning were reported in Tshwane.
More than 60 pupils from the Tlotlompho and Reimolotswe Primary Schools, in Ga-Rankuwa and Winterveldt respectively, reportedly fell ill after consuming snacks they bought from a local spaza and vendors in the area.
According to Mabona, 22 pupils from Tlotlompho Primary School were rushed to a local medical facility after experiencing vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and shortness of breath.
At the same, in a separate incident, over 40 pupils from Reimolotswe Primary School in Winterveldt were rushed to a local medical facility after consuming a type of snack called “dibombolina”.
The department has urged School Governing Bodies, parents, and communities at large to be always vigilant and report suspected expired or dangerous foods to the relevant health or law enforcement authorities.
Meanwhile, officials that started offering psycho-social services to the school community are expected to continue their work on Monday.
“We wish to convey our sincerest condolences to the family of the learner, and the greater school community of Onkgopotse Tiro Primary School for their loss,” said Mabona.
The department has also welcomed the bail judgment in the case of three men accused of selling dagga-laced cookies to pupils at the Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve.
Amukelani Nyulunga (19), Ofentse Maluleka (21), and 29-year-old Katlego Matlala were denied bail at the Soshanguve Magistrates Court on Friday.
They face several counts of attempted murder after 90 pupils fell ill in September, reportedly after eating muffins they had bought from a vendor near the school.