Health Department targets student safety through stricter compliance checks
The city is ramping up inspections and emergency medical support to ensure all student residences are safe, compliant, and conducive to learning.
The metro’s health department held an engagement with Student Accomodation Service Providers at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) regarding strengthening of health precautions on campus on October 13.
The meeting serves as part of the department’s mandate to strengthen compliance, health standards, and safety in student accommodation across the city.
During the engagement, the focus was on the critical role that service providers play in ensuring that students live in safe, compliant, and dignified environments in line with the City’s Health, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Town Planning regulations.
Health MMC, Tshegofatso Mashabela, insisted the metro takes an uncompromising stance regarding by-law and health compliance on campuses within the metro, and that they will do everything in their power to ensure student safety is never compromised.
“All student residences must comply with environmental health standards and obtain a certificate of acceptability (CoA) for any cafeterias or kitchens operating within their premises.
“Compliance extends to town planning schemes and zoning laws, meaning that every building used for student accommodation must have the correct land-use rights and building approvals from the city,” Mashabela said.
The MMC added that ambulances and EMS teams are being strategically deployed closer to high-density student zones to improve emergency response times and ensure students have immediate access to medical care in case of emergencies.
She reiterated that the metro values the role of education and continues to partner with TUT and other institutions to create a safe environment for learning through infrastructure support, health services, and urban renewal, given the number of universities in the city.
“Our students deserve environments that are not just affordable, but safe, compliant, and conducive to learning.
“Through our partnerships with institutions, investors, and residence owners, we are building a city that truly cares – one where every student can live, learn, and thrive in dignity,” she said.
Mashabela acknowledged the role of the TMPD in enhancing safety and law enforcement around student accommodation areas, in partnership with the SAPS and CPFs.
As part of its commitments made at the City of Tshwane Investment Summit, the metro is repurposing hijacked and underutilised buildings in the CBD for student accommodation, ensuring they are fully compliant, serviced, and safe.
Through the Tshwane Economic Development Agency, the city is working with private investors to attract sustainable investments to student housing, urban renewal, and economic inclusion.
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