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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is demanding the establishment of a proper vetting process for vendors in Gauteng schools to ensure that learners are sold safe, hygienic, and healthy food.

This follows an incident where eight learners from Emfundisweni Primary School in Alexandra, have been admitted to Edenvale Hospital after eating space cookies sold to them by a vendor stationed outside the school premises.

The DA condemns the non-vetting of vendors by School Governing Bodies (SGB) in the province.

We believe that it is the responsibility of the school to vet all the vendors trading outside their school premises to protect their learners from food poisoning and drug dealers.

The DA demands that the Gauteng Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, urgently establish a functional vetting system. This is in line with the DA’s call to review schools' safety strategy in the province. In addition, MEC Chiloane must initiate an urgent investigation into this matter.

Gauteng schools also need regular environmental and health inspections to assess the nutrition programmes.

The DA will conduct an oversight inspection at the school on Friday, 9 June 2023. We will engage the school management to establish the facts of this matter and the urgent interventions needed to protect learners.

Issued by Khume Ramulifho MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education