A police investigation has been launched after two mysterious white pills were allegedly discovered inside a packet of chips bought by learners from Kenhardt Primary School at a local spaza shop.
A POLICE investigation has been launched after two mysterious white pills were allegedly discovered inside a packet of chips bought by learners from Kenhardt Primary School at a local spaza shop.
The unsettling find was reported by a Grade 4 learner, who brought the pills to a teacher’s attention. Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam confirmed that the incident was reported on Tuesday, November 5.
“Two packets of chips were reportedly bought at a spaza shop in the area by learners from the primary school. The police have since sourced the services of the Environmental Health Inspectors (EHI) in the ZF Mgcawu District for further compliance inspections and investigations. The EHI report will form part of the police investigations,” said Sam.
He also urged the community to avoid spreading unverified information online, warning that it could cause panic.
“The police are appealing to the public to refrain from posting social media messages containing unconfirmed information that may cause unnecessary panic,” he said.
The Northern Cape Department of Education has also stepped in, expressing concern over the incident and noting that law enforcement authorities are actively investigating the matter.
Department spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe acknowledged that while no one has suffered health effects, the incident raises significant concerns.
“The department is concerned about the incident that occurred at Kenhardt Primary School. Although no one’s health has been negatively affected, two pills were found in a packet of chips that was purchased outside the school premises. The incident was reported to law enforcement authorities, who are conducting an investigation into the incident to determine the safety of the products being sold by street vendors and to prevent future occurrences,” said Van der Merwe.
He added that the department has called on parents and communities to be vigilant and to ensure that children consume safe food.
“MEC Abraham Vosloo has emphasised the importance of ensuring that learners only consume safe food. He has urged parents, legal guardians and schools to be vigilant. Our priority is the health and safety of our learners while providing quality public education.
“We have seen the outcry of communities in other parts of the country as it relates to the death of children as a result of food poisoning. We are calling on all education stakeholders and society at large to assist in combating any food poisoning among children and learners,” Van der Merwe concluded.
