The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene has expressed grave concern over incidents whereby scholars are falling ill due to snacks and beverages purchased from vendors either from outside their schools or from nearby spaza shops.
The latest incident brought to the attention of the SAPS today, where 63 learners fell ill at the Zingcuka Primary School in Keiskammahoek. The learners, aged between 6 and 13 years old were taken to the SS Gida hospital after they complained of stomach cramps and vomiting. It is alleged that the children ate chips, biscuits and juice from a local shop in Upper Zingcuka.
A similar incident was also reported on 30 October 2023 after two children from Scenary Park in East London complained of stomach cramps after purchasing biscuits from a local spaza shop. They were also taken for medical treatment.
Also on 26 October 2023, about 119 school children from Dlelweni Primary School became ill after eating chips and biscuits allegedly bought from the vendors outside the school gates. It is alleged that the children became ill during the break time and were rushed to the nearest clinic for treatment. Some were transferred to the Frontier hospital for further treatment. Environmental Health officials were notified, and they have confiscated sweets and other items from the vendors for testing.
Today, police conducted inspections at spaza shops in Scenary Park, searching for and confiscating expired food products. Joint operations with the Environmental Health officials will be continuous as police aim to clamp down on local traders selling expired stock.
Lieutenant General Mene has made a clarion call to parents in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their children. ‘We strongly advise parents to refrain from allowing their children to purchase food from vendors or spaza shops. We cannot stress enough the importance of providing homemade lunches. This allows you to have control over the quality and safety of the food they consume. The health of our children is of paramount concern and we must take all necessary precautions to mitigate the recent incidents. There is a huge health risk associated with buying or consuming food from unregulated vendors or shops,’ added Lt Gen Mene.