Pupils treated for food poisoning

Nearly 100 pupils of Maluta High School in Madombidzha were treated for suspected food poisoning at the Makhado Memorial Hospital a fortnight ago.

Several of the affected pupils said the problem started on 5 March shortly after they had eaten food supplied by the school. They said that they were vomiting, suffered from severe headaches and stomach pains.  The community and pupils have pointed an accusing finger at the cooking staff, who they contend were responsible for the alleged food poisoning.

One of the pupils, Khodani Mathivha, a Grade 12 pupil, said they enjoyed cooked samp at the school. "Most of us developed running stomachs and our stomachs were so painful that it was nearly unbearable. Things became worse when we went to class on the sixth, and everyone was complaining about stomach pains and running stomachs. Ambulances were called and we were taken to Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital for treatment.”

The spokesperson for the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital, Mr Kutelani Sigidi, said that a high-level investigation about the incident had already started: "It is true that 98 learners of Maluta School were treated for stomach cramps. They were treated and discharged. I cannot confirm or deny food poisoning, but we are investigating the incident,” said Sigidi.

The principal of the school, Mr Joseph Phungo, said he could not comment on the incident as the pupils had eaten food they had bought from a vendor outside the school premises.

Date:19 March 2014

By: Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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