The Eastern Cape Health Department has confirmed that 131 pupils from Gobizizwe Agricultural School in Mthatha were hospitalized after suffering suspected food poisoning. The incident, which occurred yesterday, saw students fall violently ill after consuming contaminated food.
Emergency Response Prevents Fatalities
Provincial health spokesperson Siyanda Manana reported that all but three of the affected pupils have been discharged. The remaining students are under observation at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and Tata Regional Hospital but are out of danger.
Manana detailed that the children exhibited symptoms including nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, vomiting, and seizures shortly after eating a meal of rice and tinned fish at the school. Emergency services, including ambulances and a medical helicopter, were deployed to ensure swift treatment.
Authorities Investigate Source of Contamination
An integrated government team—including local disaster management, environmental health practitioners, and police—is investigating the cause of the poisoning. Manana confirmed that food samples have been seized, and the school’s feeding program has been temporarily suspended pending further scrutiny.
This incident marks the latest in a series of school-related food safety concerns in the Eastern Cape and other parts of South Africa. Authorities have vowed to determine accountability and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.
School and Officials Under Scrutiny
While Manana did not comment on the school’s internal response, he emphasized that environmental health officials are conducting a thorough probe. The investigation will assess whether negligence or unsafe food handling contributed to the outbreak.
Parents and community members have expressed relief that no fatalities occurred but are demanding stricter oversight of school meal programs. The Eastern Cape Department of Health has assured the public that all affected children are recovering and that further updates will follow as the investigation progresses.
