POLICE investigations are underway after three school kids died after allegedly being fed energy drink.
The kids were allegedly given the energy drink by their father in their lunch boxes.
Three of the kids started getting sick after drinking it during break at the school and were rushed to hospital.
They died immediately after.
The incident happened on Thursday morning, 26 May.
The fourth child is still fighting for his life and the fifth one did not drink it.
Gauteng’s Education MEC, Mr. Panyaza Lesufi, has expressed his devastation at the news of the tragic deaths of three boy pupils.
Steve Mabona, spokesman for the Gauteng Education said boys aged 6, 13, and 16 and were all pupils at Ratanda Primary and Khanya Lesedi Secondary Schools in Ratanda.
"Preliminary reports allege that the father of the three deceased gave all his five children energy drinks in the morning while they were preparing for school. Four of the said pupils consumed the energy drink after arriving at school in the morning," he said.
"Sadly, two of the said pupils died shortly at the school after complaining of stomach pains while one was rushed to the nearest hospital but died on the way."
The fourth sibling is in a critical condition at the hospital while the fifth, fortunately, did not consume the energy drink.
“Firstly, I wish to convey my sincerest condolences to the family, particularly the mother, of the deceased pupils. I further extend my condolences to friends, fellow learners and teachers of the pupils, especially those who had witnessed these tragic incidents,” MEC Lesufi said.
"At this stage it is not known what led to the deaths and law enforcement agencies are investigating circumstances surrounding the deaths."
The Gauteng Department of Education has dispatched its Psycho-Social Support Unit to the affected schools to offer counselling to the school community at large.
The services have also been offered to the bereaved family.
MEC Lesufi will visit both schools and the family on Friday, 27 May.
