‘Space cookies’ land 90 schoolkids in hospital
The department calls for patience while the police investigation is underway.
About 90 Pulamadibogo primary school learners in Soshanguve were rushed to hospital on Wednesday morning after eating cookies suspected to have been laced with dagga.
Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said teachers noticed strange behaviour from the learners in class and immediately contacted emergency services for support.
Mabona said Grade 0 to Grade 7 learners were experiencing nausea, stomach cramps, with some vomiting from allegedly consuming the “space cookies”.
“All 90 affected learners were attended to by emergency services on the school premises,” he said.
“However, they were all subsequently rushed to different medical facilities where their condition was monitored. Police visited the school, as this incident has caused distress among parents who also came to the school as they were concerned about the safety of their children.”
It is suspected the children bought the cookies that may have been laced with dagga from a street vendor.
According to Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, the seller has been identified and a thorough police investigation would be conducted.
“Indeed, this is concerning for us and we call for patience from parents while investigations are underway and learners are recovering.
“We implore learners to be vigilant of what they purchase and consume and to be cautious of who they purchase food from. We wish all affected learners a speedy recovery.”
The MEC said he was extremely concerned about a street vendor being brave enough to sell these cookies to learners.
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