Claims that primary school girls in Vhembe were given contraceptive injections without parental consent have triggered outrage among parents and community leaders. It also prompted quick responses from the Department of Health, education authorities and LoveLife.
The allegations, raised by Ms Faith Phathela, chairperson of the Vhembe Faith-Based Sector, relate to a school in the Makhado Municipality.
According to the report, several Grade 5 girls allegedly received two injections - alleged to be the HPV vaccine and a contraceptive - without parental consent or proper communication.
One parent quoted in the report said her daughter had come home with sore arms after receiving injections at school. She said the child had not had her clinic book with her and that a consent form, sent by the school beforehand, was vaguely worded.
"We were told we'd be informed when the nurses came. That never happened. No one told us exactly what the injections were," the parent reportedly told the Faith-Based Sector.
The report also alleges that learners were warned they could face expulsion if they fell pregnant while still at school, adding to the fear and confusion. The deputy principal reportedly confirmed that learners had received injections but said he had not been informed about the type of treatment administered.
Both the Limpopo Department of Education and LoveLife have denied any involvement in the administration of contraceptives and said they were unaware of any such programme being run without proper protocols.
"The department is aware of the allegations as presented," said Department of Education spokesperson Mike Maringa. "We have no knowledge of contraceptives being administered to learners and did not give consent for any such programme. Since the matter falls under health services, we suggest it be taken up with the Department of Health for verification."
Maringa acknowledged that LoveLife has worked in schools for years but only in an advocacy and educational capacity.
That was echoed by LoveLife's district coordinator, Tinyiko Kanyane, who said:
"LoveLife does not do anything clinical with our 10–24-year-old target group. Our groundBREAKERs provide information and support through the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP), but they do not administer injections or any form of medical treatment."
Kanyane said she had missed the recent District AIDS Council (DAC) meeting where the matter was raised but was later informed by a local stakeholder. She committed to engaging the Department of Health for clarification and urged those making the claims to name the school involved, so that a proper investigation could be conducted.
The Faith-Based Sector remains firm in its concern. Its report calls for an independent investigation, a review of how parental consent is handled, greater civil-society oversight of youth health programmes, and an immediate halt to administering contraceptives at schools without explicit, informed consent.
The report also reflects spiritual objections to pre-marital sexual activity and promotes abstinence-based approaches to sexual education.
Despite the strong wording, the authors admit they were unable to speak directly to the learner involved and that the exact nature of the injections has not been confirmed.