A total of 24 learners from Enzani Primary School were rushed to hospital after consuming unidentified snacks, reportedly purchased from a local shop.
Story Summary:
- 24 children from Enzani Primary School were hospitalised after eating unidentified snacks, adding to a series of similar cases in recent weeks.
- Health Department officials are investigating potential links between these food poisoning incidents but have ruled out toxic chemicals in at least one of the cases.
- Parents and communities are increasingly concerned about the possibility of a broader health crisis affecting children across multiple provinces.
Enzani Primary School mass food poisoning: Here’s what we know
The children, aged between six and 12, complained of severe stomach pains shortly after eating the snacks.
Their conditions are reportedly stable, and no fatalities have been reported at this time.
The mass food poisoning incident has triggered widespread concern, with parents and community members on high alert as health officials race to determine the cause.
The Department of Health is expected to release more information once they have concluded their investigation into the exact origin of the contamination.
This incident is the latest in a disturbing series of mass food poisoning cases affecting schoolchildren across several provinces, fuelling concerns of a potentially larger health crisis.
Potential nationwide poison outbreak: What’s happening?
The incident at Enzani Primary School follows several others in recent weeks, leading many to fear a potential nationwide outbreak of food poisoning, particularly targeting children.
Just three days ago, 22 learners in northern KwaZulu-Natal were also admitted to hospital after consuming snacks bought from vendors.
The situation remains fluid, with additional learners still reporting symptoms, and officials suspect that more hospitalisations may follow.
The common thread in these cases appears to be snacks purchased from local vendors, often sourced from small, foreign-owned spaza shops.
However, no definitive link has been established, and no toxic substances have yet been identified in the food samples tested.
Earlier this month, a similar case in Gauteng sent shockwaves through the country after six children in Soweto died and more than 70 learners in Hammanskraal were hospitalised under almost identical circumstances.
These events have led to violent protests and the looting of spaza shops, with residents blaming these stores for distributing toxic goods.
Tensions have remained high as residents demand accountability and immediate action from authorities.
In a key development, environmental health investigators have ruled out toxic chemicals in the snacks believed to have caused the deaths of six children in Naledi, Soweto.
According to Health Department spokesperson Lucky Tshihanyise, tests conducted on the snacks came back negative for any chemical contamination, casting doubt on earlier claims that spaza shop products were responsible.
“The results are back from the alleged snack, and they proved negative of any chemical contamination. However, as a department, we are still busy with further investigations,” Tshihanyise confirmed.
While the ruling out of toxic snacks brings some clarity, the true cause of the children’s deaths remains unknown, prompting authorities to expand their investigation.
Tshihanyise added that additional manpower would be required to get to the root of these incidents.
The Department of Health has launched intensified inspections across affected areas to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
However, without a confirmed cause, concerns are growing that this could be the start of a more widespread and lethal food poisoning crisis.
