LIMPOPO – A 13-year-old boy from Khubvi, outside Thohoyandou, died in the William Eadie Health Clinic on Wednesday after eating a snack from a local spaza shop.
According to the provincial government spokesperson Ndavhe Ramakuela, the boy ate crisps or puffs that he and three others were offered by a shopkeeper.
The boy experienced complications and was rushed to the health centre in Tshidimbini, where he passed on.
“Three other boys who ate the snack from the same offer were admitted at the Donald Fraser Hospital, where they are in stable condition,” his statement read.
The Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba says government is concerned about recurring incidents of this nature reported in the Mopani and Vhembe involving 80 learners.
Ramathuba has formed an inter-ministerial task team comprising of the Departments of Health, Education, LEDET, Social Development, and the SAPS to advise provincial government on strategies to deal with this matter.
“The Executive Council will convene on Sunday to action the proposed strategy,” Ramakuela said.
Schools and communities in the Vhembe District have been urged to remain vigilant about food safety after 34 learners from two schools fell ill last Monday due to suspected food poisoning.
Three learners from Denga High School, located in the Nthabalala area, were treated and discharged from Elim Hospital the same day.
Meanwhile, 31 learners from Mukhwantheli High School, who were on a school trip to the Schoemansdal Museum, received treatment at Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital and were also discharged on the same day.
According to reports, the three learners from Denga High School purchased snacks from a nearby spaza shop before falling ill.
Read more: 34 Vhembe learners treated for food poisoning
Ramathuba concluded by imploring parents and communities to stay away from eating snacks from illegal spaza shops.
“Parents should be concerned about what their children are eating. This way, we can jointly deal with this problem,” she concluded.
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