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A suspected food poisoning incident has sent shockwaves through the Riverdale Academy community in Bulawayo’s Hillside suburb, after dozens of pupils and parents fell ill following a school dinner event last Saturday.
The incident has left many hospitalized with severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and other symptoms commonly linked to food-borne illnesses. Concerned parents have expressed outrage over what they describe as the school’s inadequate response to the crisis.
One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the harrowing experience of her son falling ill shortly after the dinner.
“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.”
The parent expressed her shock and concern upon learning that many other children had fallen ill.
“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. It was then that I realized the magnitude of the problem.”
Parents have slammed the school’s response to the incident, citing a lack of transparency and communication.
“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,” said the parent.
“Parents are now demanding an independent investigation to uncover the truth behind the incident. We are deeply concerned by the school’s lack of transparency and responsiveness to this serious matter.”
Another parent expressed her frustration and financial burden as a result of the incident.
“The ordeal has drained my finances as I scrambled to cover medical expenses for my daughter. I am still trying to come to terms with what happened and how the school could have allowed this to happen.”
Some parents have speculated that poor hygiene and food safety standards by the caterers may have caused the incident.
“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,” said one parent.
“We demand a full refund from the school and call for strict action against the caterers responsible for the event. This negligence has resulted in significant health risks and financial burdens for many families.”
Riverdale Academy Principal Philani Mathe confirmed the incident and said an investigation was underway. However, he downplayed the scale of the problem, claiming that only four of the 1,400 attendees reported falling ill.
Despite the principal’s assurances, parents remain unconvinced and are demanding answers.
“We want to know what happened, how it happened, and what measures the school will take to prevent such incidents in the future,” said one parent.
“We will not rest until we get the truth and justice for our children.”
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