Six-year old consumes poison at school

ALLEGED negligence at Okhalweni Primary, a school in the rural parts of Vryheid as you head to Hlobane, nearly cost a Grade R pupil her life last month.

According to Nelisiwe Ntombela, the mother of Zandiswa Ntombela, she was shocked when she was contacted by the school and told that her child, who had left their home well and in good health that morning, was rushed to hospital sick as a dog.

“She was vomiting and could not even swallow her saliva, I asked them what had happened and was told she had drank a strange liquid at school. I later learned that the liquid had been toilet disinfectant and was terribly worried that my child would die,” said this mother.

The child was operated and is currently eating through an external food pipe, as she is unable to chew properly.

“She can’t even swallow her saliva as she says it is very painful. I have not heard anything from the school, let alone a letter of apology,” said Nelisiwe.

The school’s current substitute principal, Miss Sibongile Buthelezi said that the matter had not been due to negligence as all cleaning materials at the school are kept in cupboards far from the children’s reach.

“On the day of the incident, we had been sitting together as teachers during lunchtime when one of the children rushed in to inform us that Zandiswa had drank the poisonous substance. Alarmed, we all rushed to the class where the children had been eating to find that she was vomiting terribly and was in a shocking state,” said Miss Buthelezi.

The acting principal said that she then drove the child to the doctor herself as she felt that calling an ambulance would take too long.

“One of the teachers that were left at the school contacted Zandiswa’s mother to alert her of what had happened,” said Miss Buthelezi.

The teachers said that they did not wait for the child’s parents before taking her to the hospital as her home is far from the school and they were afraid she was not going to make it if they waited.

“When we met Zandiswa’s mother at the hospital the next day she was very upset. She went on to tell us that we had no right to take her child to the hospital without her consent. As a result of this encounter, we as a school have been reluctant to contact her and ask for updates on how the child is doing. We are all worried about her and she is in our prayers,” said Miss Buthelezi.

Despite all that has happened, Nelisiwe remains positive and says that her daughter is getting better every day.

If you have any interesting stories please send them to: estella@caxton.co.za or Contact us on: 034 981 39 30.

Also Find us on: Facebook, Twitter, and on WhatsApp 060 98 60731.