Poisoning scare at school dinner

A suspected food poisoning incident has rocked Riverdale Academy, a private school located in the Hillside suburb of Bulawayo, with dozens of pupils and even some parents reportedly hospitalized after attending a dinner event over the weekend.

The alarming situation has raised serious concerns about food safety at the school, as multiple reports indicate that students began experiencing severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and other symptoms after the event on Saturday. The illness appears to have extended beyond the pupils, with several parents also affected and seeking medical attention.

One parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the ordeal their child endured after attending the dinner event. "On Saturday, my son attended a dinner party at the school. Afterward, he began experiencing severe stomach cramps and vomiting. He became so weak that we had to rush him to the hospital, where he was admitted and given IV fluids. At first, I thought he was the only one affected, but then I heard from the school's WhatsApp group that many other parents were facing similar situations with their children," the parent shared.

The incident has sparked outrage among parents, with many expressing dissatisfaction with the school's handling of the matter. One parent criticized the school for not providing sufficient information or addressing the situation in a timely manner. "The incident occurred on Saturday, and as of today (Thursday), the school has yet to release a comprehensive report regarding the near-fatal event involving our children. Parents are now demanding an independent investigation to uncover the truth behind the incident," the concerned parent stated.

Another parent highlighted the financial burden caused by the incident, having to borrow money for hospital treatment. "My daughter's condition was so critical after the party that I had to borrow money from friends and relatives to afford treatment at a reputable hospital. The incident has left me in significant debt," the parent explained. They further stressed that the school must take responsibility for the negligence that has caused distress to families both financially and emotionally.

A third parent speculated that poor hygiene practices by the caterers might have been responsible for the food poisoning. "I suspect that the incident was a case of food poisoning, possibly caused by rust from the cooking pots or the misuse of baking soda. We demand a full refund from the school and call for strict action against the caterers responsible for the event," they said.

In response to the growing concerns, Riverdale Academy Principal Philani Mathe confirmed the incident, stating that the school was conducting a thorough investigation. "Approximately 1,400 people attended the event, and we have received reports of illness from about four students. We have been closely monitoring the condition of these students, and the school is conducting a thorough investigation. We will soon release a statement with definitive information on the causes of these illnesses," Mathe said.

As investigations continue, parents are calling for transparency and accountability from the school to ensure that such an incident does not occur again and to safeguard the health and well-being of their children.