THREE pupils at Robert Sinyoka Primary School are in critical condition at Mpilo Central Hospital after ingesting potassium permanganate which the mistook for a spice.
Village development committee chairperson Saison Maseko confirmed the incident.
“I was informed that a learner brought the substance and they consumed it,” Maseko said.
“You know children being children often just share what they eat and it was all just an unfortunate mistake.”
It is alleged that one of the learners, who is still in hospital, had been given the potassium powder by his parents to treat his wounds.
They fell sick after eating the chemical.
Potassium permanganate is a chemical compound used as a treatment for eczema, impetigo and other skin ailments.
Mpilo chief executive officer Narcissius Dzvanga said he was on leave and referred Southern Eye to the hospital’s public relations officer Noma Mabhena.
Mabhena was not available for comment at the time of going to print.
