The police suspect that the mysterious substance called 'lalaza,' which is sold in R5 packets and mixed by schoolchildren into their lunches, causing hallucinations in some and explosive diarrhea in others, is actually just old cooking oil and leftover sauce.
This substance is sometimes packaged in small, clear plastic bags tied at the top. Residents of the southern part of Gauteng expressed concern after reports of strange behavior in children following consumption of this substance. They experienced drowsiness and hallucinations, and ingesting the oil could also cause a laxative effect leading to bowel upset.
A Gauteng police representative, Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuluvhi, told IOL that 'Lalaza is a suspicious, sauce-like substance sold in small plastic packets to schoolchildren.' He added that although community members refer to it as a drug due to the strange behavior of children after consumption, it has not yet been classified as a narcotic during forensic examination.
Despite no arrests being made, the use and sale of this substance have decreased after police services conducted information campaigns and warnings in collaboration with education and environmental departments.
Earlier this month, police confiscated thirty items presumed to be 'oil seasoning' during raids on six schools in the Sedibeng region, south of Gauteng. These raids took place at Sehopotso Secondary and Botebo-Tsebo Secondary in Sebokeng, Residentia Secondary in Vanderbijlpark, Sapphire Secondary in Botholong, as well as Mahareng Secondary and Lekoa Shandu Secondary in Sharpville.
A Gauteng Department of Education representative, Onwabile Lublevhana, stated that the police took samples for analysis of the substance's composition and distribution methods. Police first became aware of 'Lalaza' in February in Sebokeng when packets were seized from students at Boiketlong Primary School.
In March, students in Sebokeng reportedly experienced hallucinations, drowsiness, and diarrhea after consuming the substance, prompting their parents to report the situation to the police. It was later discovered that this substance was being sold in high schools in Phindaun and Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, where students allegedly added it to school lunches for flavor.
Health-e News reported that sellers acquired 10 liters of fast-food oil remnants for between R250 and R280 before repackaging it into small plastic bags and selling each for R5.
Candice Lambert from Wellness Dialogue Group emphasized the importance of not characterizing this practice as children experimenting with a 'potent drug' while ingredients are under investigation. She noted that one cannot assume the responsibility of a psychoactive substance until exactly what the children consumed is known. Lambert added that in the case of 'lalaza,' the rewards seem very tangible: it is inexpensive, accessible, reportedly improves the taste of ordinary school meals, and for some students, the sale provides an opportunity to earn money. Therefore, socio-economic conditions, food insecurity, accessibility, and the school/community environment must be considered alongside adolescent development.
Lambert also pointed out that adolescents react strongly to novelty and immediate reward, while the part of the brain responsible for impulse control and long-term consequences is still developing, and constant observation of others using something without obvious harm gradually reduces their perception of danger. For this reason, in her opinion, caution should be exercised in framing the problem merely as children's 'poor choices.' A more useful question is: what made this behavior so normalized, accessible, and rewarding that the potential danger no longer seems significant to them?
Student drug use concerns raise alarms
The Gauteng Department of Education reported in June that its schools registered over 4600 cases of violence, more than 4100 cases of vandalism, nearly 400 incidents of sexual misconduct, and about 1400 instances of searches and confiscations over a five-year period. The department noted that these figures are alarming as they indicate that schools are under threat.
A study commissioned by the department from Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance covered over 1300 schools and identified 245 high-risk schools, among the main threats listed being substance abuse. A parliamentary committee on the social development portfolio initiated the restoration of the Central Drug Authority council, which oversees the national drug control plan, after the previous council's term expired in March.
Committee Chairperson Bridget Masango stated that the legal service's opinion showed that the minister did not have the authority to extend the council's term after its expiration. Minister of Basic Education Sivive Gwarube informed parliament in writing that the entire system of public schools has 761 social workers, and that the appointment of counselors and psychologists is mainly the responsibility of the provinces, depending on provincial budgets.
In a written response dated June 24, Gwarube indicated that schools should handle drug-related incidents and refer affected students for treatment and psychosocial support. He also stressed that any searches, confiscations, or drug testing in schools must be conducted legally and with respect for the rights, dignity, and safety of students. Gwarube reported that between April 2025 and March 2026, 32,367 officials, teachers, school governing body members, and teaching assistants received training on national school safety. However, Gwarube concluded that student safety cannot be ensured by schools alone.