SA: Suspected Food Poisoning Leaves 3 Learners Dead

Three learners have died from suspected food poisoning at a primary school in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province.

News of their deaths were made known in a statement released by the provincial education department on Monday evening, 29 July.

According to the statement, some students at Nelson Ngubeni Primary School in Emalahleni complained about having stomach pains, while others were vomiting, earlier that afternoon.

Two learners died on arrival at Witbank General Hospital, while the third died soon after.

Meanwhile, ten other learners are currently being treated for suspected food poisoning at the same medical facility.

Department spokesperson, Jasper Zwane, said that Bonakele Majuba – who serves as the education MEC – is set to visit both the hospital and the school on Tuesday morning.

He explained: “The visit will enable the department to get a full report of what happened and to determine the course of action to be undertaken.”