College of Africa works to rehouse students after dorm fire and looting
The College of Africa is securing housing for students after a residence fire and looting at their Turfloop left many displaced and without belongings.
POLOKWANE – College of Africa director Fhulu Mukwevho says the institution is working to secure alternative accommodation for students left stranded after a fire gutted a residence block on July 6.
Read more: Students left homeless after College of Africa blaze in Turfloop
The fire destroyed the building and many students lost valuables such as ID documents, clothing and study materials.
Mukwevho confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident. “All staff and students are safe. Everyone was evacuated in time, and emergency services responded quickly,” she said.
To assist affected students, the school plans to negotiate more affordable rental options with local residents in Mankweng who have rooms available.
Plans to rebuild the residence will be made once the police conclude their investigation. However, as students fled for safety and tried to salvage their belongings, opportunistic looting took place.
Residents from the nearby community of Ga-Kama reportedly took advantage of the chaos, stealing refrigerators, microwave ovens, food and clothing.
A distressed student has since appealed to the community: “We have lost so much. Please return our belongings. This tragedy should not be used as an opportunity to loot.”
The EFF in the province extended sympathy to the students and called on government departments to intervene.
“We urge the Department of Home Affairs to set up a satellite office to assist students with lost identity documents. The Department of Social Development must also step in to provide food parcels until the situation is stabilised,” said spokesperson Jacob Lebogo.
