A woman working at the Malerato Centre of Hope crèche in Mamelodi, Extension 2, was arrested on Friday after the alleged food poisoning of toddlers and small children from the school, police said.

“The lady that was looking after the kids yesterday fed each of them an ‘aloe extract’, with the intention of cleaning out their systems,” said owner Malerato Jacobs. The staff member apparently had no idea that the aloe would do harm. “She says she did not know it would make the children sick,” Jacobs said.

Thirteen children were rushed to various hospitals by paramedics on Thursday due to severe cases of vomiting an hour after their breakfast meal. Two of the children were in critical conditions, one even needed to be airlifted by paramedics.

According to  Health department spokesperson Simon Zwane the children were stable at the moment.

A mother of one the affected children received the doctor’s diagnosis. “The doctor said it is definitely food poisoning.”

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mike Mbewe said the woman was arrested from the crèche on Friday.

“She is currently in police custody and is being charged with assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm,” said police spokesperson,” Mbewe said.

Zwane stated that the Health department was at the scene on Friday for investigations. “Our team was there on Thursday and Friday and a report was established. We need to take samples of the food and other factors for further investigations to determine the facts. We need to follow the appropriate procedures,” Zwane said.

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