Alpha Ramushwana24 October 2024 | 14:25

24 pupils in Mpumalanga rushed to hospital on suspected food poisoning

It's understood the pupils fell ill earlier on Thursday after displaying symptoms including stomach cramps and vomiting.

24 pupils in Mpumalanga rushed to hospital on suspected food poisoning

School governing bodies cost scholar transport schemes in the Western Cape millions. Picture: Eyewitness News

JOHANNESBURG - Another case of suspected food poisoning has been reported in Mpumalanga, where 24 learners from Enzani Primary School have been hospitalised after eating snacks bought from a local spaza shop.

It's understood the pupils fell ill earlier on Thursday after displaying symptoms including stomach cramps and vomiting.

The provincial education department said the children aged between six and 12, are stable.

READ: 16 Tembisa pupils discharged from hospital after consuming atchar

The latest case comes after a series of others countrywide. 

"We'd like to indicate as the department that the MEC for Education has urged parents and school management to monitor what these children are consuming.

"But we are going to work collaboratively with stakeholders to assist us to monitor what these people are selling in communities," said Mpumalanga Education Department spokesperson, Gerald Sambo.

On Wednesday, 16 learners at the Emmangweni Primary School in Tembisa were hospitalised, after eating atchar bought from two of their schoolmates. 

The Mpumalanga Education Department is urging parents and teachers to monitor the food consumed by children, following this latest case of suspected food poisoning.

Sambo says this cannot be allowed to continue.

“This does not only concern the department of education but it’s something that we need to confront as the community to ensure that these people who sell these substances to our children are monitored so that we do not have such incidents going forward.”