The Gauteng Education Department said over 60 learners from two primary schools were rushed to hospitals on Thursday after taking ill after eating snacks bought from street vendors.
Department spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said about 22 learners from the Tlotlompho Primary School and another 40 from Reimolotswe Primary School, needed treatment.
However, he said only four of the 22 learners from the Tlotlompho Primary School, were transferred to a hospital and have since been discharged.
"According to information at our disposal, the affected learners started vomiting, experiencing diarrhoea, and complaining of abdominal cramps and shortness of breath after eating snacks allegedly bought from a street vendor," said Mabona
The learners from Reimolotswe Primary School were also rushed to a medical facility after consuming a snack called "Dibombolina" which he said they bought from different hawkers around the school.
Mabona said all the learners from the second school were also discharged, adding that psycho-social support will be provided to the schools.
The Department also urged school governing bodies and the community in Gauteng to be vigilant and check all foods and snacks sold in and around schools.
Meanwhile, three people accused of selling so-called space muffins to about 90 learners of Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve were denied bail on Friday in the Shoshanguve magistrates court.
The trio faces 43 counts of attempted murder after allegedly selling muffins laced with cannabis to primary school learners.
The case will resume on Tuesday, 12 December 2023.
