By Everson Luhanga
About 15 children from Emmangweni Primary School in Tembisa were rushed to different hospitals on Wednesday after getting sick from eating achaar bought at the school.
Six ambulances came to take the sick learners to different health facilities.
Ward councillor Lucky Ntshingila told Scrolla.Africa that a cleaner at the school was selling the achaar and getting learners to help her sell it to others.
“She is the one who gave some of the learners the food to sell to other learners while she does her cleaning job.”
“A few weeks ago, she was warned to stop selling food on the school premises, but she did not,” said Ntshingila.
The cleaner claimed the principal said she could sell food, but the principal denied this.
Ntshingila said medical teams took samples of the achaar for testing. This is the first time something like this has happened at the school.
Ntshingila said they would stop all food sales inside and outside the school until they know the food is safe.
Many worried parents came to the school after hearing the news.
As this story was being written, Gauteng education officials and the police had just arrived to speak to the school authorities.
Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane raised concerns about the incident.
“We are deeply troubled by the increasing number of foodborne illness cases reported in our schools. The health and safety of our learners is our highest priority. We are working closely with authorities to fully investigate the cause of this incident.
“We wish the affected learners a speedy recovery and will provide the necessary psycho-social support to the families and school community at large,” said MEC Chiloane.
Pictured above: Emergency services at Emmangweni Primary School.
Source: Mfanelo Dzanibe
