UCT students warned to not accept unvetted accommodation

The Cape Town fire has reared its ugly head and left many displaced, including hundreds of UCT students who were urgently evacuated from the tertiary’s premises on Sunday.

Cape Town fire: What’s the latest?

Fire rescuers and volunteers have kept a heavy presence in the upper regions of Rondebosch, where the inferno has stubbornly raged on, causing extensive damage to vegetation and properties.

Rhodes Memorial, a monumental heritage site went up in flames, and its restaurant’s explosion was bone-chilling to say the least.

At the time this article was published, rescue operations were still ongoing, with more civilians joining in the effort to assist those in need.

UCT students urged to not accept unvetted accommodation

UCT successfully evacuated its staff and students who were at the upper campus when the fire rippled through the leafy area. Those without connections outside of the university were left without access to help from friends and relatives.

In a bid to lend aid, some residents living nearby have opened their homes to displaced students. However, multiple warnings have been issued about the possible presence of human traffickers in the area who may have taken this opportunity to pounce on the vulnerable.

UCT STUDENTS: Please be careful of the wolf in sheep's clothing.

Not everyone who offers help is doing so from good heart.

⚠️Human traffickers are on high alert as well.#capetownfire

— Rethabile Makoanyane (@Makoanyana_R) April 18, 2021

I see a lot of people offering accommodation to UCT students, I would like to urge students to be very careful accepting accommodation from strangers. Not everyone has good intentions. Please be careful, notify family, the Uni & friends where you're taking refuge #capetownfire

— Lona_Mbeki (@IamLadyeeElle) April 18, 2021

UCT students who are displaced are advised to follow these safety precautions instead of accepting accommodation from unvetted strangers:

• Contact the nearest police station for help getting in touch with loved ones;
• If you are accepting accommodation from an individual, share their physical address, and any other useful identifiers like a vehicle’s registration to loved ones before you enter their property;

Den Anker restaurant is offering affected UCT students a free meal and temporary shelter. Students must present a res card.

Any UCT res students who have been directly affected by the fire are welcome to come over to Den Anker this evening.
We will serve you a plate of food, you will need to provide us with proof of your res card.#DenAnker #NewlandsFire #UCTStudents #Fire #CapeTownFire

— Den Anker Restaurant (@den_anker) April 18, 2021

These non-profit organisations are assisting with relief efforts. Contact any of them for help with emergency shelter:

• South African Red Cross Society;
• The Salvation Army;
• Gift of the Givers; and
• Volunteer Wildfire Services.

For immediate assistance with displacement related to the Cape Town fire, contact these emergency numbers:

City of Cape Town Emergency Services Landline: 021 480 7700 Cell phone: 107
Provincial Emergency Number – 112