[imagesource:befunky]
Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve, Gauteng, faced a distressing situation when a group of pupils fell ill after allegedly consuming muffins laced with dagga on a Wednesday.
According to the official report, the muffins, often referred to as “space cookies” were purchased from a street vendor operating just outside the school premises.
The Gauteng Department of Education disclosed that approximately 90 pupils, spanning from Grades R to 7, reported symptoms including nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Alarmed teachers quickly contacted emergency services, who promptly transported the affected learners to nearby healthcare facilities.
Local authorities have identified the street vendor in question and have initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this alarming incident.
The question of everyone’s minds is, ‘how could a hawker get away with selling these kinds of illicit snacks to people, especially children, without their knowledge of the contents?’
Education MEC Matome Chiloane is asking the same kinds of questions. The MEC expressed deep concern and called for calm among parents as the police investigation unfolds. He also seized the opportunity to remind pupils to exercise caution when choosing their food sources and the vendors they purchase from.
Check out the full “space cookie” report here:
90 PULAMADIBOGO LEARNERS HOSPITALISED AFTER CONSUMING SPACE COOKIES
MEC @matomekopano is concerned about an incident that took place today where 90 learners from Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve were hospitalised after allegedly consuming space cookies. pic.twitter.com/2VFPdNaqpP
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) September 20, 2023
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has urged the Department of Education and school governing bodies to implement stringent vetting processes for vendors selling food to schoolchildren. Khume Ramulifho, the party’s education spokesperson, emphasised the need for safety measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
“Gauteng schools lack a functional vetting process for vendors to ensure that learners are sold safe, hygienic, and healthy food. The DA will continue to pressure the department to implement the vetting process for all vendors trading outside school premises across the province to protect the learners from drugs and food poisoning.”
It’s one thing making the decision as a consenting adult to get freaky with your baking in the comfort of your own home, but these poor kids deserve justice for such an unwarranted poisoning.
[source:news24]
