A month has passed and the Gauteng department of education still doesn’t know what caused 21 primary pupils to fall sick at school and have to be rushed to different health facilities.
The group of pupils from Thembelihle Primary School were taken to Far East Rand, Pholosong and Tambo Memorial hospitals after complaining about severe headaches, dizziness and stomach cramps while sitting in different classes on August 25.
Ambulances were called as some affected pupils vomited and others fainted inside the schoolyard.
Sowetan spoke to four Etwatwa residents alleging that affected children had inhaled gas fumes coming from the school’s kitchen unit.
The department's spokesperson Steve Mabona was contacted on Tuesday about claims made by parents and he said the alleged gas leak came from the RDP houses surrounding the school. But yesterday he changed his tune and said the gas smell came from spray painting emanating from the houses but stressed that a full report has not been made available to them at this stage.
He said the department had launched an investigation into this matter.
Yesterday, Sowetan visited Daveyton and met with parents of the affected pupils and some of the individuals residing close to the school.
Parents maintained that they were told by the school’s staff and hospital nurses that their children had inhaled gas fumes.
The mother of a grade 5 pupil said her child’s health has taken a knock since he was taken to hospital.
“It’s been almost three weeks since the incident and no-one has been able to tell us where the fumes came from. My son is now struggling with chest pains and constant headache. The school should have been closed for some time for this matter to be properly investigated and to ensure that a similar incident never happens again,” she said.
A number of RDP houses surrounding the school use gas stoves due to rolling blackouts.
Homeowners rejected claims that they were responsible for the gas fumes. They said the fumes came from the school’s kitchen unit which uses gas stoves to prepare meals for pupils. They said the cylinders were not properly stored and instead were carelessly kept behind the school’s kitchen unit days before pupils were taken to hospital.
Sowetan saw the kitchen unit but did not see any gas cylinder on site yesterday. However, residents insisted that they were removed after the incident.
“The department is talking nonsense. This is a case of negligence by the school’s kitchen staff. They are trying to shift the blame,” said Mamokiti Nare.
Mabona blamed spray painters in the community.
“Reports at our disposal reveal that the fumes were not coming from the school. It is alleged that they emanated from spray painters who are mushrooming in and around Etwatwa who may be responsible for the suspected harmful chemicals causing air pollution which affected pupils at Thembelihle,” said Mabona.
Sowetan did not notice any spray painters near the school.
Mabona said further queries must be directed to the department of health because they are still investigating the matter.
Classes are running as normal at the school and not all parents are worried about suspected gas leak claims.
“My child was also taken to Pholosong Clinic. The doctors at the school said it was gas inhalation. The boy seems fine now,” said another parent who refused to give her name.
Gauteng health department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba was not aware of the incident but said he'd investigate.
nzimandeb@sowetan.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.