Joburg pupil dies from suspected food poisoning
The Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed the death of a schoolgirl in a suspected case of food poisoning in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg.
The Grade 10 pupil, who attended Orange Farm Secondary School, died on Saturday.
She allegedly ate snacks bought from the local spaza shop near her home.
"It is alleged that she fell ill shortly afterwards, and was rushed to a local clinic where she was unfortunately certified dead," said Gauteng Education spokesperson Steve Mabona.
The incident was formally reported to the school on Monday.
"MEC Chiloane calls for increased vigilance and urges parents, learners, and communities to desist from buying food items from unauthorised spaza shops or unregulated vendors, as such food items continue to pose serious health risks."
The government has since ordered the registration of all spaza shops in an attempt to curb the issue of suspected food poisoning.
Last month, the government approved banning all Terbofos imports following a spike in suspected food poisoning incidents last year.
This comes after a preliminary investigation found that four children who had died in Soweto last year died from food contaminated with the pesticide.
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