LDoE suspends school vendors over arising food poisoning concerns

LIMPOPO

The Limpopo Department of Education (LDoE) has temporarily suspended food sales in and around schools due to a surge in alleged food poisoning incidents across the province.

Acting LDoE Spokesperson, Mosebjane Kgaffe, said the precautionary measure aims to safeguard learners’ health and well-being, especially during the examination period.

“The department has unanimously placed with immediate effect the following measures to curb the alleged incidents. All food sales within school premises and surrounding areas are halted until further notice. Meals provided through the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) will continue as usual, adhering to strict hygiene and safety standards,” explained Kgaffe.

She added that the decision follows recent incidents where learners fell ill and in some cases, lost their lives due to suspected food poisoning.

In a recent incident, a 13-year-old from Khubvi in the Thulamela Local Municipality, passed away at William Eadie Health Clinic on 23 October 2024.

It is believed that the victim consumed crisps or puffs that he and three others were offered by one of the shopkeepers. He experienced complications and was rushed to William Eadie Health facility in Tshidimbini where he passed away.

Three other boys who partook on the snack consumption from the same offer were admitted at the Donald Fraser Hospital, where they are in stable condition.

“The department will investigate these incidents in conjunction with relevant authorities. The Limpopo Department of Education urges school principals, district directors, and circuit managers to communicate this directive clearly to learners, parents, and food vendors. The department acknowledges potential challenges but trusts that everyone will cooperate to ensure learners’ safety,” she said.

However, the School Governing Body (SGB) Federation in the province has condemned the food sales suspension at schools.

“The School Governing Body (SGB) Federation strongly condemns the recent circular issued by the Department of Education to suspend vendors’ activities in schools. The SGB Federation views this directive as unjust and misguided, particularly in light of the ongoing food poisoning incidents in various schools across the province,” said the Federation President Pastor Derick Mosoana.

He added that they firmly believe that these incidents are not caused by vendors, but rather point to a larger issue, a feeding scheme tender war orchestrated by individuals with vested interests.

“There are clear signs that friends of the MEC are attempting to change suppliers by using mafia-like strategies. These underhanded tactics aim to manipulate the school nutrition tender process at the expense of the health and well-being of our learners,” alleges Mosoana.

Mosoana indicated that it is worth noting that food poisoning cases have been reported even in schools such as Phukubjane Primary, where there are no hawkers present.

“Additionally, incidents of learners developing skin rashes and scabies-like infections have been recorded in different parts of the province. These incidents indicate that the problem lies deeper within the current procurement process and is not related to vendors,” he said.

Mosoana emphasized that vendors, who are primarily single parents striving to make an honest living, should not be scapegoated for these issues.

“The Department’s decision to suspend their activities will not address the root cause of the problem and only serves to further marginalize these individuals, who are trying to provide for their families. We therefore call on the Department of Education to de-tenderize the school nutrition project and decentralize the procurement process. Schools should be allowed to procure their own suppliers, just as they do for other services, to ensure transparency and accountability in the selection of food providers. This would help to eliminate the influence of corrupt tender practices that compromise the quality of food provided to learners,” he said.

Furthermore, said the SGB Federation will urge hawkers to resist, with resolve and determination, any attempts by school principals to disrupt their legitimate daily hustle.

“The SGB Federation stands in solidarity with vendors and will continue to advocate for their right to earn a livelihood without unjust interference. The SGB Federation remains committed to protecting the interests of learners and ensuring that the safety and well-being of our children are not compromised by corrupt tender processes. We call on the Department to prioritize the health of learners over profit, and urgently review and revise the current nutrition project in the best interests of our schools and communities,” concluded Mosoana.