A TRAGIC incident unfolded in Mankweng, near the University of Limpopo, on Sunday, 6 July.
A devastating fire broke out at the College of Africa, leaving students stranded.
Many lost essential belongings in the blaze.
The fire, suspected to have been caused by a student's gas stove, ravaged the old silver room, a girls' accommodation block on campus.
Students lost personal belongings, including IDs, clothes, and school documents.
"I was in my room when the fire broke out. I don't know what happened, but the girls' accommodation burnt down.
"It's almost the start of the second semester, and we don't know what to do. We're stranded because we lost all our personal stuff, including ID books and clothes. We don't even have money to go back home," said a student.
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The college's director, Fulu Mukwevho, confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident.
"All staff and students are safe. Fortunately, no lives were lost. All students were evacuated safely, and emergency services responded quickly to contain the fire," she said.
Police spokesman Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said they're investigating the incident as an arson inquiry.
"Police in Limpopo confirm a fire incident which occurred at the College of Africa in Mankweng, Capricorn District on Sunday. Preliminary reports indicate the fire started inside one of the students' rooms and spread rapidly due to a gas burst."
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Limpopo has sent a message of support to the affected students.
The party's spokesman, Jacob Lebogo, called on relevant government departments to provide aid.
"We call on the Department of Home Affairs, Limpopo, to set up a satellite office to assist students with identity documents. We call upon municipal disaster management to urgently deal with the situation. The department of social development must also come on board to provide relief aid to the students," he said.
