By Priya Ranchod
The Gauteng MEC for Education and Sport, Lebogang Maile, has called for urgent intervention by law enforcement and health authorities to protect learners from hazardous and potentially unsafe substances circulating in and around schools.
According to MEC Maile's spokesperson Onwabile Lubhelwane, the MEC has formally written to Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, requesting an immediate and coordinated investigation into products reportedly being purchased and consumed by learners, including a substance commonly known as "scrubs".
The concern follows reports that some learners have been consuming the product, prompting a departmental fact-finding process. While allegations have circulated that the substance may consist of used cooking oil, chicken remnants and spices allegedly sourced from fast-food outlets, the Department has stressed that these claims remain unverified. Authorities have therefore been urged to conduct scientific testing to establish the product's composition, origin and potential health risks.
The MEC has expressed frustration at what he describes as the slow pace of investigations by the South African Police Service and relevant food-safety authorities. He maintains that when a potentially dangerous product is found in the possession of learners, authorities have a responsibility to act swiftly to identify its source, determine who is supplying it and assess any risks to children's health and wellbeing.
The Department is calling for a coordinated response involving the South African Police Service, Environmental Health Practitioners, municipal Environmental Health Services, the Gauteng Department of Health and other agencies responsible for food safety, environmental health and waste management. Particular attention has been drawn to the role of Environmental Health Practitioners in monitoring food vendors operating near school premises.
MEC Maile has also raised concerns about irresponsible waste-disposal practices by businesses. Although the Department's investigation has not linked any specific fast-food outlet or restaurant to the product under scrutiny, he said businesses have a duty to ensure that discarded cooking materials, food remnants and other waste are disposed of responsibly and do not enter informal supply chains that could place children at risk.
"It is reckless for any business to dispose of its waste in a manner that allows materials which are not intended or safe for human consumption to find their way into our communities and ultimately into our schools. Businesses must take responsibility for how their waste is handled from the point of disposal to its final destination," said MEC Maile.
The Department has instructed schools that the consumption of "scrubs" or any similar product from unknown and unauthorised sources is strictly prohibited. Schools have also been reminded that such products may not be incorporated into meals provided through the National School Nutrition Programme. Educators and food handlers have been directed to monitor meal-serving and consumption areas closely and report any incidents through the appropriate departmental channels.
According to the Department, investigations found no evidence that the product forms part of the National School Nutrition Programme. Schools visited during the fact-finding process were found to be complying with approved food requirements, and there was no indication that externally sourced products had been included in meals served through the programme.
The Department further highlighted the scale of the National School Nutrition Programme, which currently provides daily nutritional support to more than 1.7 million learners across 1,675 schools in Gauteng. Supported by 8,728 food handlers, the programme delivers breakfast and lunch to learners throughout the school week and has received an allocation of approximately R1.69 billion for the 2026/27 financial year.
MEC Maile also cautioned against inaccurate reporting that confuses independently purchased products sold by external vendors with meals supplied through the National School Nutrition Programme. He warned that such reporting could create unnecessary panic, undermine public confidence and discourage learners from accessing school meals that remain safe and compliant with prescribed standards.
The Department has reassured parents and communities that comprehensive food-safety measures remain in place across schools. These include supplier monitoring, food-quality specifications, hygiene inspections, oversight of meal preparation and serving areas, reporting systems and corrective interventions where concerns are identified.
Calling for a united effort to protect learners, MEC Maile urged parents, educators, School Governing Bodies, businesses, law-enforcement agencies and communities to remain vigilant.
"Education requires a social compact. Government and schools cannot confront every social challenge alone. It takes a village to raise a child. Parents, School Governing Bodies, communities, businesses, law-enforcement agencies and government all have a responsibility to protect our children and ensure that schools remain safe environments for teaching and learning," he said.
The Gauteng Provincial Government has reaffirmed its commitment to working with all relevant authorities to safeguard learners, protect the integrity of the National School Nutrition Programme and prevent hazardous substances from gaining access to schools.
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