Authorities are still working to verify reports that three children have reportedly died following a suspected food-related incident at a school in Lothair.

Initial reports suggested that several children fell ill after allegedly consuming food purchased at the school. A local employer, Rhoda Kirsten, told Highvelder that her domestic worker’s children were among those affected and that both had reportedly passed away.

Kirsten said her employee, identified only as Johanna, came to her on May 16 and claimed that a child had died at the school. Later that day, Johanna allegedly went to the hospital after learning that multiple children, including her own, had been admitted. That evening, she reportedly phoned Kirsten to say ambulances were transferring children to Witbank Hospital.

ALSO READ: Authorities yet to confirm reports of child deaths allegedly linked to food at Lothair school

According to Kirsten, Johanna later informed her that both her children had died. However, these claims have not been confirmed by any official source or by the mother directly.

Highvelder has an appointment with Johanna today, May 20, and remains in contact with her employer. A school principal, from the school initially named by Johanna as the site of the incident, visited the Highvelder offices this morning and expressed a willingness to sit in on the discussion in the interest of getting to the bottom of the story.

Kirsten has since stated that funeral arrangements are underway, with Avbob having reportedly been instructed to collect the children’s bodies from Witbank Hospital yesterday, May 19.

Numerous efforts to verify the reported deaths have been unsuccessful:

• The Lothair police indicated that no case or incident matching this description has been opened.

• The Mpumalanga Provincial Ambulance Services, via station manager in Lothair, Bafana Ngoza, indicated there are no records of any patients transported from the school that day. A paramedic on duty at the time reportedly confirmed no such incident, but another paramedic who was also on duty still needs to be consulted.

• Ngoza stated that once the children’s names, surnames or ID numbers are provided, he will initiate further inquiries at the relevant hospitals.

• The Department of Education indicated they contacted the school mentioned by Johanna. The school principal categorically denied the allegations, stating that:

  • No food matching the description (fat cakes) are sold on the premises,

  • No learners were transported by ambulance,

  • There is no record or report of such an incident at the school.

• A Communicable Disease Control (CDC) representative also contacted Highvelder to seek more information, as they stated they were not informed about the incident after it’s alleged occurrence and were also unable to verify the allegations made.

Uncertainty relating to school

The mother initially mentioned a different school, Hosana Primary School, which the Department of Education confirmed had closed approximately five years ago.

Following this, Highvelder contacted the employer again and was provided with a different school name.

As the mother is understandably emotionally traumatised, the publication has only been able to communicate with her indirectly through her employer, Kirsten.

What still remains unclear

Due to the uncertainty surrounding the correct school, Highvelder will withhold naming any school until further confirmation is obtained.

The exact school where the alleged incident took place has not yet been conclusively verified.

At this stage, the identities of the deceased children and the exact circumstances surrounding the alleged incident remain unconfirmed.

Ongoing steps toward clarity

Highvelder has an appointment with Johanna today, May 20, and continues to maintain contact with her employer.

This morning, the school principal from the school named by Johanna as the site of the incident visited the Highvelder offices and expressed willingness to sit in on the discussion, in the interest of getting to the bottom of the story.

They maintain that the incident did not take place at their school and questioned why the mother had not reported the matter to the school or the police.

This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.