At least 20 learners from Manzomtsha Primary School at Driftsands in Mfuleni were taken to hospital on Wednesday 7 November complaining of stomach cramps, but they were all discharged afterwards.
Western Cape Department of Education Communications Director Bronagh Hammond confirmed the incident, saying the exact cause was not yet confirmed.
“We do, however, ask that people do not jump to conclusions. We have received many false reports of food poisoning over the last few weeks. We therefore must wait until the health authorities conclude their assessments.”
Community leader Lonwabo Busakwe said he was concerned about the health and well-being of learners at the school. “Yesterday I saw a group of parents rushing to the school; I followed them and to my surprise I learned learners suspected of eating poisoned food had been rushed to hospital. I heard quite a number of them had been affected, and I hadn’t seen it.”
He said to his knowledge it was the first time such an incident had occurred at the school.
He didn’t wish to cast aspersions on the vendors because, for all he knew, the learners’ illness may have been caused by something else.
He urged the department to do a thorough investigation of the incident.
