By Celani Sikhakhane
Street vendors have been banned from schools across KwaZulu-Natal after an outbreak of suspected poisonous snacks landed students across the province in hospital.
The decision came as a formal directive sent to school directors and principals from KwaZulu-Natal’s Head of Department of Education, Nkosinathi Ngcobo.
Ngcobo has set out strict new rules against vendors near schools, including barring those with records of sexual offences. He called on school officials to register only reliable vendors and to give them space within school premises.
The contamination issue intensified when 27 learners from Simunye High School in Zululand district were hospitalised after drinking a “kool-aid” juice. Similar cases were reported at Bongi Cele Secondary School in Mthwalume, Ugu district, where seven learners were rushed to a clinic after consuming snacks and chocolate.
In Mtubatuba, uMkhanyakude district, several students from Chili High School required medical attention after eating potentially poisonous snacks.
Ngcobo instructed school principals and school governing bodies to rigorously inspect anyone selling food on school grounds and in local shops.
He said: “Register a manageable number of vendors and provide them space within school premises. Vet all vendors to prevent sex offenders from accessing schools. Advise learners not to buy from unreliable vendors on their way to or from school.”
King Misuzulu kaZwelithini also weighed in on the ongoing cases of food poisoning among children.
His Majesty expressed anger over the incidents, blaming some foreign nationals operating local spaza shops. “We need to support our local spaza shop owners to reclaim their businesses. We cannot allow a situation where our people are sold poisonous food that is harming our children,” said King Misuzulu.
Pictured above: The Head of the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, has ordered principals to take action against spaza shops selling harmful snacks.
Image source: X
