The Limpopo Department of Education is investigating an incident of alleged food poisoning at Makahlule Primary School in Malamulele.
Provincial spokesperson, Matome Taueatsoala said 22 learners were rushed to a nearby clinic in the afternoon on Wednesday when they started vomiting.
The children were later transferred to Malamulele Hospital where they were treated and discharged.
“A second group comprising 13 learners was rushed to the hospital complaining of headaches and stomach cramps. They were also released after screening by the health professionals,” said Taueatsoala.
He said the provincial department will take food samples that learners had eaten on Wednesday for testing in a bid to ascertain if the school nutrition rations could have been the cause.
“The department will also check the food, mainly snacks sold by vendors outside the school premises with the assistance of health inspectors,” said Taueatsoala.
Meanwhile, Limpopo MEC for Education, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya has appealed for calm while the investigations continue.
“We call on the parents and education community not to panic as the situation is under control and will be investigated thoroughly to ensure that learners are safe at all times,” said Lerule-Ramakhanya.
On Monday, IOL reported that four children died in a suspected case of food poisoning in Soweto over the weekend.
The Gauteng Department of Education said it is believed that the three primary school boys and one girl died after eating food that is suspected to have been poisoned.
Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, said the three children who died on Sunday went to Karabo Primary School in Naledi.
“According to information at our disposal, a seven-year-old boy in Grade 1, an eight-year-old girl in Grade 2, and a nine-year-old boy in Grade 3, from Karabo Primary School sadly passed away on Sunday after allegedly consuming food suspected to have contained poison.
“Additionally, a Grade 1 boy learner from the same school remains, in ICU at a local medical facility after also having consumed the food,” said Chiloane at the time.
IOL