AfriForum Youth will undertake a follow-up health and safety inspection at the Potchefstroom Agricultural College on Monday, 6 February to establish if students’ living conditions have improved following a report issued by AfriForum Youth at the end of last year, which indicated that students were living in disgusting and unhygienic conditions.
“The outcome of the follow-up investigation could determine if the head, Mr Thovhakale, should still be allowed to manage the college,” Ian Cameron, spokesperson of AfriForum Youth said.
Cameron is of the opinion that it was Thovhakale’s responsibility to ensure that the health and safety risks to students would be reduced after the first investigation.
The first inspection revealed that there were certain critical areas for recovery. Franklin Jackson, an occupational health and safety consultant, highlighted the following aspects in the first inspection:
· No first aid kits were available in student residences;
· Gaping holes were to be repaired in the ceiling;
· Walls were cracked and full of graffiti, and paint was peeling;
· Unsafe, open electrical wiring and cables were life-threatening;
· Emergency equipment and fire extinguishers were out of order;
· Electrical cables were exposed to water;
· Emergency exists were locked;
· No emergency evacuation plans were available;
· No medical reports were available to confirm that cooks were fit to work with food, and this constituted a huge health risk;
· No proof could be found that the food served to students complied with health regulations;
· Living conditions in the residences were described as “unacceptable”, and students’ health was at stake;
· The fire hazard had to be reduced drastically;
· College management could be held directly liable in the event of any incident.
“Students claim that conditions have not improved at the college and that their appeal for fair facilities has fallen on death ears. Students have a right to high quality facilities. Current conditions are not only unsafe; they could also lead to serious injury and health risks. What used to be an institution to be proud of, is now one that is an embarrassment to students”, Cameron said.
At present, AfriForum Youth’s branch at the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture represents about 100 students.
The report of the first inspection is available at www.afriforumjeug.co.za
