Picture: Learners rushed to local clinic after eating poisonous snacks
By OBAKENG MAJE
Six learners from Monthusi Primary School in Utlwanang Location, near Christiana, were taken to the local clinic for medical attention on Tuesday, after they allegedly ate snacks they bought from a local tuck shop. It is alleged that learners bought snacks from the local tuckshop on their way to the school.
The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said, upon arrival at 7:30am, learners were vomiting and complained about stomach cramps. Molokwane further said, learners were taken to a local clinic, where they were attended and kept for four hours under observation.
“These learners are between the ages of 8 and 9. The community now demands closure of these tuck shops to save children’s lives. We hope this will not affect teaching and examinations.
“As department, our stance is that communities should refrain from taking law into their own hands and allow the law enforcement agencies to do the investigations in this matter. This matter would not affect the school proceedings,” he added.
The Chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Tourism, Agriculture and Rural Development, Bitsa Lenkopane said, she is appealing to the North West communities to remain calm. Lenkopane said she has been inundated with calls from members of the community as shockwaves have engulfed the community with fear panicking about the media reports on children deaths from poisonous food items bought from spaza shops.
She said the committee is calling on the communities to also remain vigilant, while further calling on the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism and other relevant stakeholders to investigate these horrifying allegations.
“We are calling on the department to do the inspections and furnish the Portfolio Committees with a detailed report which should indicate trader categories and their respective consumable products which are further extended to school learners.
“These must include trader status, whether licensed or not, compliant with business regulation act or not, which must indicate the compliance with Immigration Act 13 of 2002 with regard to foreign owned business,” said Lenkopane.
Lenkopane said they have urged the department to join hands and intensify the operation through District Development Model (DDM) thorough involvement with municipalities and activation of the activists, who will create awareness to ensure that communities understand that the state is in charge of such businesses.
She said the committee further urges the department to regularly communicate with communities through different platforms to ensure that they are accountable and responsible for all the operating businesses across the province, to reduce the amount of panic.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The police are aware of the matter and no arrests have been made because there is no criminal case opened.”
The Guardian 