Panic and concern gripped the community of Ngqeleni in the Eastern Cape today as more than 80 learners from Gobisizwe Agricultural School were rushed to various hospitals following a suspected food poisoning outbreak.
The affected students were admitted to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha Regional Hospital, and Ngangelizwe Community Healthcare Centre, where medical staff worked swiftly to stabilize and monitor their conditions.
While all learners are reportedly in stable condition, the situation has sparked serious questions about food safety at the school. Health authorities have launched an urgent investigation, with early indications pointing to school-provided meals as the potential source of the contamination.
Parents and guardians have been left shocked, demanding accountability and swift action to ensure the safety of their children. As the investigation unfolds, the Eastern Cape Department of Health has assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent a recurrence of such a frightening incident.
This alarming event highlights the critical importance of food hygiene in schools — and the potentially devastating consequences when safety protocols fail.
