JANE FURSE – One student died after 150 pupils in Limpopo were hospitalised after eating food contaminated by pieces of glass.

Some 150 learners from Kwena Tshwena Primary School were rushed to hospital soon after eating lunch at school on Tuesday.

Five of these children were still in a serious condition at the Jane Furse Hospital yesterday (Wednesday).

According to some teachers, including Tea Hlongwane, an investigation of the contents of the school lunch, stones and pieces of glass were found in the food.
Hlongwane said her son was one of the children taken to hospital and she feared for his safety when eating at school. She said they believed that the children were poisoned because of an ongoing war between service providers contracted to supply food to various schools.

According to DA Limpopo leader Jacques Smalle, at least five other incidents of this kind had occurred at various schools in Limpopo over the past month.

He said the first report was received in mid-October when more than 50 learners from Mashegoana Primary School in the Lepelle Nkumpi area were rushed to a clinic after developing skin rashes. It emerged that the learners had eaten tinned fish and beans of which the expiry dates were already past. The food had been supplied as part of the school feedinhg scheme.

Another recent incident, that occurred on October 29, involved 300 learners from Hlakudi Primary School in the Sekhukhune area. The 300 learners were rushed to two hospitals in the area after becoming ill shortly after eating a school lunch that included samp and beans.

Smalle said education MEC, Thembisile Nwedamutswu needed to intervene urgently in this matter. He said the DA would be meeting with her next week.
Education spokesperson Paena Galane said the department was investigating the reports and action would be taken as soon as the investigation was complete. He said he could not confirm or deny that the food had been tampered with.

150 learners rushed to hospital after consuming glass