DA to lay criminal charges against Department of Education
This is after two learners from Nelson Ngobeni Primary School died of alleged food poisoning.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/2019/07/blackboard-56661_960_720.jpg)
Democratic Alliance provincial leader, Jane Sithole says the party will lay criminal charges against the Department of Education including its MEC, Bonakele Majuba.
SEE TWEETS:
"We are laying criminal charges against the MP Education Department, including its MEC, Bonakele Majuba, following the deaths of 3 learners from Nelson Ngobeni Primary School in eMalahleni who died in hospital on Monday after being served food through the school nutrition prog." pic.twitter.com/d0BREsqgCJ
— DA Mpumalanga (@DA_Mpumalanga) July 30, 2019
'According to reports learners started vomiting and complaining of stomach pains after eating the food provided through the scheme. They were taken to eMalahleni Hospital for observation where three of the learners died. Ten are still monitored in hospital.' J. Sithole @moloisrj pic.twitter.com/BGi4yxRLb4
— DA Mpumalanga (@DA_Mpumalanga) July 30, 2019
On Monday 10 learners were admitted at Witbank General Hospital. According to a statement released by the department, only two died while one learner is in the Intensive Care Unit.
“The department would like to reiterate that contrary to the reports going around, and unfortunate as it is, it is only two learners that have passed on, one who is being monitored in ICU and is expected to be discharged within the next 24 hours, and 10 other learners in casualty who were expected to be discharged on Tuesday,” reads the statement.
The MEC for education suspended the provision of the School Nutrition Programme until a report is received from the investigating team.