Eastern Cape police have opened an inquest docket after a nine-year-old girl in Zwelitsha in the Eastern Cape died, after allegedly consuming a packet of chips on Wednesday.
The girl was at school when the incident happened and was later declared dead at the clinic. Police Spokesperson Majola Nkohli says circumstances that led to the death are still under investigation.
"It is alleged that a nine-year-old girl was at the school when she became weak and started frothing at the mouth. It is further said that she was rushed to the nearest clinic where she was declared dead. Circumstances surrounding the incident are forming part of the investigation."
Director of child advocacy group, Khula Community Development Project, Petros Majola has called on the Department of Education to ensure that learners are protected from such incidences.
"We are appealing to the Premier of the province to set up a team or perhaps a commission that will look at how the schools should run when it comes to vendors operating on school premises together with the MEC of education, so that things of this nature do not happen again. We are sending condolences to the family of the child and the school and the learners.
