By Following a spike of food poising cases in the Free State that saw learners being admitted to hospitals, the Free State government declared war on the sale of expired and counterfeit food products, Mangaung Metro is not staying out of this one, they have since joined forces with the provincial government.
The province received shocking news on Wednesday, 6 November 2024, when 49 Learners from Daluvuyo Primary School were rushed to Bangani Hospital in Welkom and were treated for alleged food poising, the learners fell ill after consuming snacks, lollipops, shibobo biscuits and sweets they bought from nearby spaza shops and vendors.
The very next day, initially 21 learners from Ihboe Primary School were rushed to Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein and were also treated for alleged food poising, the number kept growing and reached a total of 43 learners who were admitted.
While keeping her promise to revisit Grassland Secondary School in Bloemfontein to wish the learners good luck for their exams, the Free State Premier Ms MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae upon hearing of the news had to cut her visit short and rushed to the hospital to visit the learners and assess the situation.
The Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM) Cllr Gregory Nthatisi, together with the Free State MEC for Basic Education Dr Mamiki Maboya visited Ihobe Primary School on Friday, 8 November 2024; where Nthatisi told the media that they are engaging with the school’s staff and other role players on how to ensure that pupils are not exposed to contaminated food products.
“The safety of our children is important and we have engaged various community structures in Mangaung to come on board. As the City, we have to ensure that the municipal by-laws are adhered to and those who sell products have the necessary documentation and meet the necessary food standards,” said the Executive Mayor Cllr Gregory Nthatisi.
Nthatisi pointed out that the metro is going to be strict and ensure the implementation of its by-laws, he said the by-laws are currently under review and extended an invitation to community members to participate in public meetings and give their inputs.
MEC Maboya expressed her concern on the spike of food posing cases amongst learners across the country, she further confirmed that all learners who were admitted have been discharged and that learners at schools are receiving counselling.
“We are happy that all learners who were admitted at Pelonomi hospital have been discharged and are recovering at home. As the department, we have issued a circular that states that hawkers trading outside school premises shouldn’t come to sell at the schools,” said Maboya.
Dr Mamiki Maboya said her department is working hand in clove with sister departments of Health and Social Development in providing counselling for the learners and their parents.
“We need a multi-sectoral approach to deal with this matter, and we are calling upon the community to join hands with us. Our communities need to see action, but that action must be well informed by the discussions that we are going to get into; and after those engagements we will update the communities,” said the MEC.
