NSFAS-funded students in Limpopo are grappling with dire accommodation issues.
More than 200 students from Waterberg TVET College's Lebowakgomo campus are facing tough living conditions.
They are housed in off-campus, privately-owned accommodation run by Alley Roads.
The students face a range of issues, including limited electricity supply, leaking sewage pipes, and insufficient water supply, which have been ongoing since January 2025.
Despite the students' repeated pleas to address these problems, Alley Roads, property management, allegedly ignored their concerns, even though Nsfas has been making rent payments on their behalf.
Speaking to Daily Sun, the students said they want out.
"The owners made empty promises. Among other things, we were told that we would get Wi-Fi and a shuttle to our campus, which is 3km away. Now we are forced to walk in the bushes, and it's not safe. We are unable to do our schoolwork due to the unavailability of Wi-Fi. We want out if they don't fix this mess," said a student.
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According to SRC chairman Thupi Mochinya, the students reached Nsfas and the student support office for assistance, but their efforts have been met with little success.
"We, as SRC, tried reaching out to Nsfas and the student support office. The only response we got at the college was that they don't interfere with private accommodations.
"We wrote an email to one of the Nsfas officials, but we didn't get a response. There were people who went there saying they were from Nsfas, and students there showed them the kind of environment they are staying in. Their response was that the place is not good for students to stay, and they said they'll give feedback but even today there's no respone," Mochinya said.
The situation has become so dire that the Defenders of the People (DOP) have stepped in, visiting the buildings and describing the conditions as "shocking".
The DOP president, Rofhus Mphahlele, said they are demanding immediate action from Alley Roads' management.
Daily Sun reached out to Waterberg TVET College's spokeswoman, Mahlako Phaahla, for comment, and she stated that the institution would investigate the matter and provide feedback as soon as possible.
"We will investigate and revert back to you as soon as we have information on the subject in question," Phaahla said.
Daily Sun contacted the accommodation owners on Friday, 11 July, and was promised a media statement.
At this stage, Daily Sun has received nothing.
