In a shocking event that has left parents and residents in distress, 48 pupils from Rapelego Primary School in New Eesterust, Hammanskraal, were rushed to hospitals on Monday, 14 October, after suffering from suspected food poisoning. The incident has sparked concerns about student safety and the sale of food within school premises.
The ordeal began when a grade 7 learner allegedly sold chocolates to other pupils, which led to several students falling ill. According to parents, the chocolates were brought to school by the learner, who had reportedly stolen them from home and sold them to classmates for R2 each. Many of the affected students, aged between 9 and 14, experienced symptoms such as severe stomach pain and vomiting shortly after consuming the treats.
One parent, whose two children were among those hospitalized, shared his concerns, saying that the food provided at the school is often insufficient, which leaves children hungry and vulnerable to buying snacks from their peers. “When they get home, they complain about being hungry, and this incident just makes everything worse,” he said.
Another parent expressed her shock and fear, particularly for children in grades 6 and 7 who were the primary buyers of the chocolates. “We are living in fear for the lives of our children. It’s terrifying to think that something as innocent as chocolate could cause such a tragedy,” she said.
The incident has caused widespread panic within the community, as parents rushed to the school after hearing about the situation. Klaas Sono, a father of one of the affected pupils, explained his reaction when he saw a Facebook post about the poisoning. “Out of panic, we rushed to the school. I’m just grateful my child was treated and discharged the same day, but it was still a traumatic experience.”
According to the Gauteng Department of Health, the affected children were taken to various hospitals, including Jubilee Hospital, Odi Hospital, Tshwane District Hospital, and Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital. The majority of the students were discharged within a day, with only four children remaining hospitalized for further observation. One of the children is being treated at a private facility.
Steve Mabona, the Gauteng education spokesperson, confirmed the incident, expressing concern for the well-being of the children. “We wish the remaining hospitalized pupils a speedy recovery, and we will continue to monitor their condition closely,” he said. Mabona emphasized that an investigation would be launched to determine the exact cause of the food poisoning and to ensure such incidents do not happen again.
The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of food sold at or near schools, as some residents claimed the chocolates were purchased from informal shops known as *aboMyFriend*. “We live in fear because we don’t know what’s being sold to our children,” one resident stated.
This incident is part of a larger concern about food safety in schools, as parents and educators continue to grapple with cases of food poisoning. Many are calling for stricter regulations on what students are allowed to bring and sell within school grounds to prevent a recurrence of such a devastating situation.
For now, the community of Hammanskraal anxiously awaits further updates on the investigation, while parents continue to question the safety of their children in schools.