A recent surge in food-related illnesses and deaths, particularly among schoolchildren, has been linked to a chemical agent, prompting the South African government to launch an urgent investigation.

According to Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale, a multi-disciplinary team, including health inspectors, police, and environmental experts, has been deployed to identify the source of the contamination and prevent further tragedies.

“In the past few weeks, South Africa has been bedevilled by a spate of food-related sudden illnesses and deaths, especially in schools.

“Those affected have concluded that these ailments are a result of food poisoning from foodstuffs, particularly snacks, sold by foreign-owned spaza shops.”

He noted that this has become the widely held belief in the country, which has led some people to act based on this assumption.

“These increasing incidents in black communities have led to the unfortunate and unsubstantiated perception that authorities are turning a blind eye to this crisis and seem indifferent to what’s happening to the citizens.”

Working around the clock

Mohale said SAPS detectives have been working around the clock to try to unravel this mystery, especially in cases where children have died, such as in Naledi, Soweto.

“The metros of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni have deployed their environmental inspectors to investigate the cause of these sudden incidents.”

He added that the Environmental Directorate of the National Department of Health has also sent inspectors to check for compliance with health regulations.

“The Department of Agriculture has also deployed officials to determine if the issue may stem from non-compliance with production regulations.”

Incidents

In one case, 47 learners from Rapelego Primary School in New Eersterust were treated for suspected food poisoning after consuming expired chocolate, allegedly purchased from another student.

In a separate incident, 74 matric girls from Fochville Secondary School, Badirile Secondary School, and Wedela Technical School were taken to hospitals with symptoms like stomach cramps and diarrhea while attending a matric camp.

Possible threat to security of country

Mohale said the National Consumer Commission (NCC) has sent senior officials to investigate possible breaches of consumer protection regulations.

“After careful analysis, it is clear that these bodies are focused on determining whether their respective laws, regulations, and established practices have been breached or not complied with.

“The national structure responsible for co-ordinating state security is treating these incidents as a potential threat to the security of the country and its citizens.”

He said these agencies are working to investigate potential breaches of health regulations, food production standards, and consumer protection laws.

Chemical agent

After extensive analysis, authorities have concluded that a chemical agent is responsible.

“At the end of the careful analysis, the teams determined that we are dealing with a chemical agent, and this must be identified as a matter of urgency. A plan has since been developed to conduct a systematic search for the agent causing this malady.”

According to Mohale, the first steps in implementing the plan were initiated last week and will be accelerated throughout this week.