HAZARD: Three school kids have died in two weeks following suspected food poisoning and dozens of others fallen ill in Gauteng after consuming products from tuck or spaza shops…

By Lehlohonolo Lehana

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has confirmed that a Grade 3 boy from the school in Tshepisong, Roodepoort, died due to alleged food poisoning.

Two boys from Onkgopotse Tiro Primary School in Tshepisong, Roodepoort, complained of stomach cramps in class and were rushed to Tshepisong clinic, the department reported.

“Unfortunately, after few minutes of receiving medical attention, one learner was certified dead. Accordingly, the surviving learner was transferred to Leratong Hospital for further medical treatment, and he is in stable condition,” said the department’s spokesperson, Steve Mabona.

It’s reported that the two pupils bought and ate a pack of biscuits from a local spaza shop in the area. This comes as two other incidents of suspected food poisoning were reported in Tshwane – and follows another case in Soweto a fortnight ago, when two Soweto children died after allegedly eating poisonous biscuits, two others landed in hospital following the incident.

Six-year-old Leon Jele Magagbe and four-year-old Neo Khang got fatally ill in early October after ingesting biscuits they purchased from a spaza shop in Naledi. They were laid to rest last week. Meanwhile, more than 60 pupils from the Tlotlompho and Reimolotswe Primary Schools, in Ga-Rankuwa and Winterveldt, reportedly fell ill after consuming snacks they bought from a local spaza and vendors in the area.

According to Mabona, 22 pupils from Tlotlompho Primary School were rushed to a local medical facility after experiencing vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and shortness of breath.

At the same, in a separate incident, over 40 pupils from Reimolotswe Primary School in Winterveldt were rushed to a local medical facility after consuming a type of snack called “dibombolina”.

The department has urged School Governing Bodies, parents, and communities at large to be always vigilant and report suspected expired or dangerous foods to the relevant health or law enforcement authorities.

Meanwhile, officials that started offering psycho-social services to the school community are expected to continue their work on Monday.

“We wish to convey our sincerest condolences to the family of the learner, and the greater school community of Onkgopotse Tiro Primary School for their loss,” said Mabona.

The department has also welcomed the bail judgment in the case of three men accused of selling dagga-laced cookies to pupils at the Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve.

Amukelani Nyulunga (19), Ofentse Maluleka (21), and 29-year-old Katlego Matlala were denied bail at the Soshanguve Magistrates Court on Friday.

They face several counts of attempted murder after 90 pupils fell ill in September, reportedly after eating muffins they had bought from a vendor near the school.

PROVIDING CARE WITH LOVING HEARTS

Milestone: House of Compassion celebrates 50 years of nurturing care to differently abled children

By  Ali Mphaki

Initially named Kempton Park Home for the Disabled, but later changed its name to Casa Caritas, celebrates 50 years of providing care for physically and mentally disabled people this month (October 2023).  It’s a milestone that is underpinned by resilience, commitment and an enormous amount of love and compassion.

Established in 1973 by founder and first CEO, Joan Muller, the facility was initially named Kempton Park Home for the Disabled, but later changed its name to Casa Caritas, which means House of Compassion.

When Kempton Park residents identified the need for a facility to provide nurturing care for children with disabilities in the community, Muller convinced the Kempton Park City Council to make a house available for the proposed home.

Located in Maxwell Street, Kempton Park, the house had three bedrooms. As the project gained momentum, a decision was made to split the institution, with one arm catering for higher functioning children and Casa Caritas continuing to take care of severely disabled children.

Muller retained her position as head of Casa Caritas and was instrumental in raising funds to build a home on a large plot of land in Terenure, Kempton Park, which was supplied by the city council. As additional funds became available over the years, new rows of rooms were built to house additional residents and facilities were upgraded to enhance residents’ experiences.

Currently headed up by CEO, Chantell Kriel, the facility accommodates 55 disabled people today, where the majority of the residents are between the ages of 11 and 48.The intake age for enrolment is between the ages of 4 and 14 years. The facility boasts a recreation room, emergency room and controlled outdoor environment that allows residents to move around freely.

 Kriel is passionate about Casa Caritas and says she knew she had found her life’s purpose when she started working at the facility. “I am not talented at sports or academics, but I believe I have a great talent to love unconditionally and freely. It is here that I get to express that love.”

 Casa Caritas offers 24-hour care to residents, who are either mobile, wheelchair bound or bedridden.  Many of them suffer from epilepsy, which is largely controlled via medication, but can nevertheless be triggered at any time, resulting in fits.

Kriel says the fits range from minor to major and require medical attention. “If not caught in time, this may result in hospitalisation. Our facility affords parents peace of mind in knowing that our care workers are always present around their children during the day while they need to work.

“At night our staff conduct hourly rounds to ensure residents remain tucked in. Cameras in each room allow them to observe the monitor between rounds,” she explains.

Daily care at Casa Caritas starts with breakfast, medication, bathing and oral hygiene. Daily therapy and sensory stimulation provide a source of happiness for residents and medication is administered by the registered nurse. The kitchen staff prepare about 200 plates of food daily and an industrial laundry means there is always clean clothing and linen available.

Without the facilities that Casa Caritas offers, these residents would find life unpleasant and unmanageable because of their disabilities. Kriel says they felt blessed to have receive a compliment earlier this year from the Department of Health, Gauteng “that we are one of the best facilities in Gauteng.’

“We strive, every day, to ensure that we do not drop our standards and to be better tomorrow, the day after and for the future.The support services we offer our residents include skilled nursing. Our professional, experienced staff develop individualized care plans for each resident.

Criteria:

NO ADULTS

• Children between 3 and 14 years of age.
• Only most severe mentally and physically handicapped persons (not trainable)
• Not aggressive for the safety of other residents.
• Not hyper active.

To tour the facility or obtain additional information regarding admission to Casa Caritas call Administrator on +27 11 9763457/ 3417 / 072 107 1989