Nelson Ngubeni Primary: Food poisoning linked to death of three pupils

Nelson Ngubeni Primary School, in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, was the scene of trauma on Monday afternoon.

What happened at Nelson Ngubeni Primary School?

According to a statement that was issued by Mpumalanga’s Department of Education, a total of 10 pupils were rushed to Witbank General Hospital on Monday morning, after they suddenly fell ill.

What caused the death of the three pupils?

Unfortunately, three other pupils passed away. Although a full coroner’s report is expected to shed more light into what the cause of death was, it is believed that the pupils fell ill due to food poisoning.

“The Department would like to offer condolences to the family of three learners from Nelson Ngubeni Primary School at Emalahleni Local Municipality who passed away yesterday afternoon in what is suspected to be as a result of food poisoning.

“There are currently about ten learners from the same school who are being treated at Witbank General Hospital. The Department has already deployed officials to the hospital to be with the learners and parents,” the provincial department noted in a statement.

Has a case been opened with the police?

At this time, it is not exactly clear what the source of the poisoning is. There have been no reports from the provincial education department on whether the police have been called in to investigate the matter.

Mpumalanga’s Education MEC, Bonakele Majuba, paid Nelson Ngubeni Primary School a visit on Tuesday morning to address the pupils about the tragic events that took place on Monday.

It will also allow Majuba and his team “to get a full report of what happened and to determine the course of action to be undertaken.”

Majuba is expected to provide a statement with added information on the mysterious deaths of the three pupils, once he has concluded his business at the school.