The provincial head of communication for Health, Lulu Mxekezo, says one of the students found a caterpillar in their food whilst sitting under a tree and the department initiated an investigation that has not been finalised. 

She adds that students fabricated the evidence of rotten food and started to circulate pictures on social media platforms of food that is not even provided at the accommodation. Mxekezo says since the incident took place, the service provider has been providing meals from various food outlets for students who do not want to eat food provided at their accommodation. However, students are still complaining and changing specifications with the service provider without even consulting the department, which has contracts with various service providers.

“The students continuously change the goal post as the same issues were raised earlier and the department even included the services of the third party to ensure a fair process. Issues of concern were raised and resolved but now even more issues are raised. Some of the nursing students who are not happy with the conditions at the accommodation will soon be moved to other service providers for accommodation,” she adds.

Mxekezo further alleges that some of the students have resorted to sourcing donors illegally utilising the name of HSNC to get funds to secure alternative accommodation with other service providers. She says these kinds of acts are unlawful as all students have signed a binding contract that states that the Department of Health will provide food and accommodation for them. Despite all challenges, Mxekezo says the department will continue to support all students so that academic activities can continue in a conducive environment.

“Not all students are involved in these illegal activities as they fully understand the implications. There are internal channels to deal with any challenges, including the Student Representative Council (SRC). Despite all these, the service provider has been providing meals and students have been accommodated. Suffice it to indicate that the accommodation of the nursing students will be ready in early 2023. So they will move and nursing students can focus on their studies and qualify soon as the province experience a severe shortage of nurses,” she concludes.

OFM News