Soshanguve alleged space muffin vendors denied bail

The three young men from Soshanguve linked to the drugging of more than 90 pupils have been denied bail and the matter has been postponed for further investigations.

The trio made a brief appearance before the Soshanguve Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Amukelani Nyalunga (19), Ofentse Maluleka (29) and Katlego Matlala (21) face more than 40 counts of attempted murder.

At least 90 pupils from Pulamadibogo Primary School were hospitalised in September after eating drug-laced muffins allegedly sold to them by the suspects.

Outside court, community members were in high spirits after the magistrate’s decision for the trio to be remanded in custody.

The case is among a string of other food poisoning cases that have rocked Gauteng in recent weeks.

On Friday, the provincial Department of Education confirmed the death of a Grade 3 learner from Onkgopotse Tiro Primary School in Tshepisong due to alleged food poisoning.

According to the Department, two Grade 3 boy learners from the school complained of stomach cramps in class and were rushed to a local clinic, where one of them passed on.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Departmental Spokesperson, Steve Mabona, has raised concern over the prevalence of these cases.

 

In other separate incidents, over 50 learners from different parts of the province were reported to have taken ill, also due to food poisoning.

About 22 learners Tlotlompho Primary School in Garankua, Tshwane, were rushed to a clinic after eating snacks allegedly bought from a street vendor.

In Winterveldt, learners from Reimolotswe Primary School also fell ill after eating a snack called ‘dibombolina.’

According to education authorities, the majority of the children have recuperated, while only five were still in medical facilities at the time of publishing.

Mabona says all the learners experienced similar symptoms that include vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

[BREAKING] 1 learner has passed away in Tshepisong and 6 others hospitalized today after they allegedly ate food from a spaza shop not far from their school.

The information available at the moment is that the learners are in grade 3

This is a developing story. More details on…

— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) October 20, 2023

#SpaceMuffins Outside court, parents of the affected learners are protesting, they are demanding that the accused remain behind bars.#eNCA pic.twitter.com/PtZRHcnWVy

— Silindelo Masikane (@Sli_Masikane) October 20, 2023

❗ Not for Sensitive Viewers , contais graphics of minors children! 15 of them, who consumed poison in Winterveld Pretoria!! Warning❗

The ANC Government is shifting blame, because they know that they’ve glambed with our lives & let their funders ama Pakistan, Bangladesh & other… pic.twitter.com/TLWK6Hfbjf

— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) October 20, 2023