WHITTLESEA, Eastern Cape – The Provincial Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA), Loyiso Mbinda, expressed outrage and concern at reports that approximately 39 learners from Ekuphumleni Matric Revision Centre were rushed to hospital after allegedly suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea linked to food consumed at the centre.
“This incident is not merely unfortunate; it is unacceptable and reflects a serious failure of duty of care by those entrusted with the well-being of learners. We place it on record that any environment sanctioned by the education authorities to host learners carries a full and non-negotiable responsibility to guarantee their safety, including the provision of safe, hygienic and properly monitored nutrition,” said Mbinda.
He said they demanded an independent and transparent investigation involving both the Department of Education and the Department of Health, with findings made public.
Mbinda called for the immediate suspension of any service providers implicated, pending the outcome of such an investigation.
“[There must be] clear identification and accountability of officials responsible for oversight failures, [together with] a province-wide audit of all matric revision centres to ensure compliance with health, safety and nutrition standards.
“This incident exposes what appears to be a systemic weakness in monitoring and quality assurance, particularly in programmes that operate outside the normal school environment but remain under the authority of the state. We will not hesitate to pursue further action, including legal avenues, should it emerge that negligence or dereliction of duty contributed to this incident.”
He added that it is deeply troubling that this occurs at a time when Grade 12 learners, Class of 2026, are preparing for their crucial June examinations.
Mbinda said that learners should be focusing on their academic readiness, not recovering from preventable health incidents caused by administrative failures.
“We remind the DoE that learners’ safety is a constitutional and legal obligation, not a discretionary matter. Any compromise on basic standards such as food safety represents a serious breach of public trust. We call on the MEC for Education, Fundile Gade, and senior departmental leadership to personally intervene and ensure swift corrective measures and restore confidence in the management of learner support programmes.”
He confirmed that they stand firmly with the affected learners and their families and will continue to advocate without fear or favour for safe, dignified and accountable learning environments across the province.
The spokesperson for the Department of Education, Malibongwe Mtima, confirmed this incident, stating that it occurred after they consumed their supper.
He said the learners are part of the 194 matric candidates attending the Learner Attainment Improvement Strategy (LAIS) Grade 12 Level 1 and Level 2 incubation programme held at Ekuphumleni High School.
“The Ekuphumleni Centre is one of the seven Komani Circuit Management Revision Centres held from Thursday, 30 April to Sunday, 3 May 2026, across the Chris Hani East Education District. These centres are meant to boost the performance of these Level 1 and 2 learners in their upcoming mid-year examinations,” said Mtima.
He added that of the 39 learners who were rushed to the hospital, only two were admitted, as 37 were discharged after being monitored for a few hours.
The 37 stable ones were later discharged the same night to join their peers at the centre. Samples of the food they consumed for supper (pap and long-life milk) were taken for testing by the Department of Health.
“The 194 learners are from the following high schools, namely Ekuphumleni (host centre), Funda, Zolani, Nompumelelo and Zamokuhle.”
He added that both the Health and Education departments have monitored the learners.
