Five Grade 6 learners were taken to hospital after allegedly eating biscuits bought from a community vendor near Sikelela Primary School in Crossroads, Cape Town.

The Western Cape Education Department said several learners complained about feeling ill on Monday, 8 June 2026. The school then called paramedics, while SAPS was also alerted.

Five learners taken to hospital after biscuit scare

The Sikelela Primary School biscuits incident caused concern among parents after online posts claimed a learner had died after eating “biscuits with pills inside”. However, the Western Cape Education Department dismissed the death rumour.

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the learners allegedly ate biscuits bought within the community before they began feeling unwell. Paramedics assessed the affected learners at the school.

“The learners were assessed by the paramedics, with the majority being sent home,” Hammond said, according to Cape Argus. “Five Grade 6 learners were sent to the hospital for further assessment. SAPS has also been informed.”

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said Nyanga police responded to the incident at a primary school in Crossroads on Monday, 8 June 2026. He said no criminal cases had been registered for investigation at that stage.

Food safety concerns remain in Cape Town

The Sikelela Primary School biscuits case comes amid wider concern about foodborne illness reports in Cape Town and across South Africa.

According to the City of Cape Town, its environmental health teams monitor food safety through business licensing, certificates of acceptability, unannounced inspections, food sampling, and investigations into food poisoning or food-borne illness complaints.

The City has also previously reported foodborne illness incidents linked to different settings, including retailers, restaurants, butcheries, fast food outlets, tuck shops, school feeding schemes, early childhood development centres, hospitals, old age homes, caterers, canteens and accommodation establishments.

National health authorities have also urged public awareness around food safety. The National Department of Health provides foodborne-illness resources to support prevention and community education.

WCED and police responses

Hammond confirmed that the department was aware of the incident and that emergency services assessed the learners at the school.

Twigg confirmed that Nyanga police responded to the school. At the time of his statement, no criminal case had been opened.

No official test results had been released by Tuesday afternoon, and authorities had not confirmed what caused the learners’ symptoms.