Parents and residents demand answers after their kids allegedly ate suspected poisoned food at Rapelego Primary School at New Eesterust in Hammanskraal, Tshwane.
It’s alleged that many pupils were admitted to local medical facilities. According to other parents who wanted to remain anonymous, this is a big worry for them.
A parent said that his two kids were hospitalised. He claimed that the kids ate chocolate, which was sold by another pupil at the school.
Apparently, the pupil stole the bars from home, stuffed them in his school bag, and brought them to school where he sold them for R2.
“The food kids eat at school isn’t enough. When they get home, they complain that they are hungry,” he said.
Another parent said that a pupil sold chocolates to grades 6 and 7 kids.
“We’re in great shock. We fear for the lives of our children,” she said.
Parent Pretty Molomo (34) said: “We’re affected by this incident. It’s traumatising.”
Another parent, Andreas Mhlongo (38), said: “This is not right. We’re in great pain, especially because food poisoning is on the rise at our schools.”
Klaas Sono, father to one of the affected pupils, said: “We saw it on a Facebook post that there’s a situation at Rapelego.”
“Out of panic, we rushed there with her mum. I’m glad that it wasn’t that bad. I had to wait for hours for the child to be treated, but luckily, she was discharged the same day.”
The community alleged that the kids bought chocolate from aboMyFriend shops.
“We live in fear, especially with this food sold to our children,” said a resident.
He said that the kids were complaining about stomach pain and others were vomiting.
Gauteng education spokesman Steve Mabona confirmed that 48 pupils from Rapelego Primary School in New Eesterus, Hammanskraal, were on Monday, 14 October, rushed to different medical facilities following a suspected case of food poisoning.
“The incident occurred after learners reportedly consumed chocolate allegedly sold by a grade 7 learner at the school. As of Tuesday, 15 October 2024, 44 of the affected learners have been discharged, while four remain hospitalised, receiving necessary medical care. We wish them a speedy recovery, and we’ll be monitoring their condition,” said Mabona.
The Gauteng Department of Health also confirmed the incident in their statement.
“The department can confirm that 47 primary school learners aged between 9-14, from Rapelego Primary School at New Eersterust in Hammanskraal, received medical treatment at Jubilee Hospital, Odi Hospital, Tshwane District Hospital, and Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital due to a suspected food poisoning incident on Monday, 14 October.”
“Fortunately, the majority of the learners were discharged between Monday and Tuesday (15 October). Only four children remain in hospital, with one of them at a private facility as of this afternoon,” read the statement.
