Some Bronkhorstspruit parents 'scared of buying from spaza shops' after 7 pupils hospitalised for stomach cramps

BRONKHORSTSPRUIT - Parents in the Zithobeni township in Bronkhorstpruit are worried about their children's safety after pupils at a local school consumed poisonous snacks.

On Thursday, seven learners from Mshuluzane Mayisela Primary School were rushed to hospital after consuming chips allegedly bought from street vendors.

This led to community members looting spaza shops in the area, accusing them of selling expired products.

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As a group of frustrated parents picketed outside Mshuluzane Mayisela Primary School, others made their way to their local hospital, hoping their children were recovering from stomach cramps.

Puleng Mofokeng, an elderly woman whose grandkids are enrolled at the school, said it was frightening that children were no longer safe in their communities.

"We are scared of buying from spaza shops now because we dont know what's in the goods, so we are very scared."

Community member, Gabangani Sambo, said that the government was failing the community.

"We are tired about what is happening in our location. The government must come and intervene because there is a problem with our government."

The Gauteng Education Department said it would be difficult to intervene in an incident that occurred outside the school's premises.