The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that two learners from a school in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, underwent medical testing after allegedly discovering an unknown substance inside a packet of chips.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday morning and has since prompted an investigation by the South African Police Service.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said no conclusions have been reached at this stage and urged the public to refrain from speculation while authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the matter.
“It is important to allow due process to take its course,” Hammond said, adding that previous incidents of a similar nature had, upon investigation, not been substantiated.
The department stressed that the safety and well-being of learners remain its highest priority and that appropriate action will be taken once the findings of the investigation are known.
The incident comes amid heightened public concern over food safety following a series of cases across South Africa involving children who became seriously ill or died after allegedly consuming snacks purchased from spaza shops and informal food outlets.
In 2024, the country was rocked by multiple food poisoning incidents, particularly in Gauteng, where more than 20 children died after consuming contaminated food products. One of the most widely reported cases occurred in Naledi, Soweto, where six children died after eating snacks bought from a local spaza shop. Investigations later found that the children had been exposed to the highly toxic pesticide terbufos, an organophosphate commonly used in agriculture.
The deaths sparked widespread public outrage and protests in several communities, with residents demanding stricter regulation of spaza shops and improved food safety oversight. Some demonstrations also led to tensions surrounding foreign-owned businesses, prompting government calls for calm while investigations were underway.
In response to the crisis, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a nationwide intervention that included mandatory registration of spaza shops and food-handling businesses, intensified inspections by municipalities and health authorities, and stricter enforcement of food safety regulations. Government also moved to crack down on businesses operating illegally and strengthened controls over hazardous pesticides and chemicals.
While the latest incident in Mitchells Plain has not been linked to any food contamination and investigations remain ongoing, it has renewed concerns among parents and communities about the safety of products consumed by children.
Authorities have urged the public to await the outcome of the police investigation and medical assessments before drawing conclusions.
