Rhodes student linked to campus fire
A student at Rhodes University in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape could be linked to a fire on campus, the institution said on Wednesday.
Spokesman Zamuxolo Matiwana said the third year student was admitted to Settlers Hospital on Tuesday to be treated for petrol ingestion.
He was transferred to Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth for further observation and assessment.
"An initial internal investigation has revealed that the hospitalisation of the student may be linked to the fire which started at the Rhodes Pool Club (the Purple Horse) in the Steve Biko Building on Tuesday morning," he said in a statement.
"The possible link between the fire and the student's hospitalisation is currently being investigated by the university and the SA Police Service."
Matiwana said the student's family had been informed and a general meeting of all students in his residence was held on Tuesday night.
He said the meeting was to ensure that anyone who might need counselling would receive support.
On Tuesday, a fire broke out in a building at the university and Matiwana said part of the Steve Biko student union building was set alight in the early hours of the morning.
Captain Mali Govender confirmed that a case of arson was being investigated.
"The cause of the fire is unknown and will be determined after forensic experts conduct their investigation," she said at the time.
The building was vacant when the blaze started.
- Sapa