Zuko Komisa

90 learners from Grades R – 7 were hospitalised after eating space cookies
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday and saw 90 students from Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve being hospitalized after swallowing “space cookies,” which are biscuits laced with marijuana, has alarmed Matome Chiloane, the MEC for Education in Gauteng.
The pupils reportedly experienced nausea, stomach pains, and some vomiting after eating the space cookies, according to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE).
The students were reportedly transported to nearby medical facilities.
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Police have reportedly visited the school and subsequently, the street vendor was identified. Police will conduct their investigation accordingly.
“According to information at our disposal, approximately 90 learners from Grade R – 7 consumed what looked like muffins, suspected to be laced with dagga (space cookies), which they bought from a street vendor on their way to school. Educators witnessed strange behaviour from the learners in class and immediately called emergency services.
“All 90 affected learners were attended to by emergency services on school premises. However, they were all subsequently rushed to different medical facilities where their condition will be monitored,” said the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE)
90 PULAMADIBOGO LEARNERS HOSPITALISED AFTER CONSUMING SPACE COOKIES
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) September 20, 2023
MEC @matomekopano is concerned about an incident that took place today where 90 learners from Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve were hospitalised after allegedly consuming space cookies. pic.twitter.com/2VFPdNaqpP
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands that the Department of Education conduct an urgent investigation
The DA has stated that it would keep pushing the department to put the province-wide vendor vetting mechanism into place in order to safeguard students from drugs and food poisoning.
“The DA once again calls on the Gauteng Department of Education to establish an integrated safety approach that includes the School Governing Body (SGB) and the community to avoid such incidents from occurring.
Gauteng schools lack a functional vetting process for vendors to ensure that learners are sold safe, hygienic, and healthy food.
The DA will continue to pressure the department to implement the vetting process for all vendors trading outside the school premises across the province to protect the learners from drugs and food poisoning.” read the DA’s statement
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