A suspected food poisoning incident has rocked Riverdale Academy, a private school in Bulawayo’s Hillside suburb after dozens of pupils and some parents reportedly fell ill following a school dinner event last Saturday.
Several attendees, including children and adults, were hospitalized with severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and other symptoms commonly linked to food-borne illnesses. Concerned parents say the situation has exposed serious lapses in the school’s food safety practices.
One parent, speaking anonymously to B-Metro, recounted how her son fell 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. 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 said.
The incident has left parents furious over what they describe as the school’s inadequate response.
“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. We are deeply concerned by the school’s lack of transparency and responsiveness to this serious matter. The failure to provide timely and detailed information has eroded our trust in the school’s ability to ensure the safety and well-being of our children,” fumed the parent.
Another parent added that the ordeal had drained her finances as she scrambled to cover medical expenses for her daughter.
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. 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,” she said.
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.
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