By Kaizer Nengovhela and Elmon Tshikhudo

Food poisoning at schools across the country is fast becoming a serious concern for learners and parents. Vhembe has not been spared, with more than 60 children treated for suspected food poisoning in the past week.

On Monday (14^th), three learners from Denga High in the Nthabalala area were treated and discharged from Elim Hospital. On the same day, 31 learners from Mukhwantheli High, who were on a school trip to the Schoemansdal Museum, were also treated at Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital for suspected food poisoning. They were discharged the same day.

It is believed that the three learners from Denga High bought snacks from a spaza shop near the school. One of the learners, who did not want to be named, said some of them developed stomach problems. “Our stomachs were so painful that it was nearly unbearable. Things got worse when we went to class, and everyone was complaining about stomach pains and diarrhoea. Ambulances were called, and we were taken to Elim Hospital for treatment,” he said.

A parent of one of the children said they confronted some of the spaza shop owners, urging them not to sell food to children. He added that they wanted to prevent fatalities as had occurred in other provinces.

At the time of our going to print, it was not clear what had caused the children to develop upset stomachs at Mukhwantheli High.

On Wednesday, 9 October, more than 30 learners from Makahlule Primary School in Ntlhaveni Block H, outside Malamulele, were rushed to hospital after they showed symptoms of possible food poisoning.

Ms Betty Mashaba, chairperson of the school’s governing body, said the learners had started vomiting after eating food prepared through the school’s nutrition programme and items bought from local vendors.

“The kids were treated and released the same day. They are all back at school and in good health. As parents, we are obviously still concerned as we do not know exactly what happened,” she said.

Mashaba cautioned against jumping to conclusions. “We reported the matter to local health inspectors, who took samples of the food cooked at the school as well as that sold by vendors and nearby spaza shops. We will await their feedback and take it from there,” she said.

The MEC for Education, Ms Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, called on parents and the education community not to panic, assuring them that the situation was under control and was being thoroughly investigated to ensure the safety of learners. She urged school governing bodies, parents, and “the community at large to be vigilant at all times and check all foods/snacks sold in and around schools.”

“Where it is suspected that the snacks might have expired, this should be reported to the local authorities for action,” said Ramakhanya.