Staff Reporter
A major fire has broken out at the Midlands State University (MSU) campus in Zvishavane, destroying the Diamond hostel and causing significant losses to student property.
The incident, which occurred late on Saturday night, has left the university community reeling as students and authorities assess the damage.
The fire, which engulfed the building, was captured in images shared widely on social media, showing flames rising from the structure.
The exact cause of the blaze has not yet been determined, and no official statement has been released by the university as of now.
However, local student leaders have confirmed that the fire has caused the loss of several personal items belonging to students.
Emmanuel Devine Nyakudya, Secretary General of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and a prominent student leader, broke the news on social media, expressing his concern over the incident.
“In a very sad development, the Diamond hostel has just been on flames at the MSU Zvish Campus. Whilst we are still yet to get more information, fellow leaders on the campus have reliably informed us of the loss of different student properties due to this fire,” Nyakudya wrote.
This incident happened on the same night that President Emmerson Mnangagwa flew into the Zvishavane area for meetings in preparation for his trip to Bulawayo, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the already tense situation.
Emergency services were reportedly called to the scene, but by the time the fire was brought under control, much of the building had already been damaged.
There are no reports yet of any injuries or fatalities, but students are anxiously waiting for further updates from the university administration regarding the next steps, particularly for those who have been displaced by the disaster.
The incident has sparked calls from student leaders and activists for the university to improve safety measures in its hostels, as this is not the first fire to have occurred on campus.
Students are demanding a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and compensation for the loss of their belongings.
Further updates are expected as investigations continue, and MSU authorities are likely to address the situation in the coming hours.
Meanwhile, students affected by the fire are being urged to report any losses to the appropriate university offices for assistance.
This devastating event has cast a shadow over the MSU Zvishavane campus as the community rallies to support those affected. Source; Zimeye
