Sheffield Hallam students robbed by armed thieves during South Africa trip

Eight students and a member of staff from Sheffield Hallam University were robbed by armed men while on a placement on South Africa.
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The students were on a four-week teaching placement in the country and were travelling by bus in Port Elizabeth when they were confronted by armed thieves.

They had been in South Africa since February 2, when they flew in to Cape Town.

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The university said that ‘arrangements had been made’ to bring the students back to the UK and that three had already arrived home.

Port Elizabeth. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty ImagesPort Elizabeth. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images
Port Elizabeth. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images

The remaining students have been waiting for replacement passports and will be flown back to London today (Thursday, February 13).

A Sheffield Hallam University spokesperson said: "A group of eight students and a member of staff were the victims of a robbery during a placement trip to South Africa.

“Thankfully, all students and staff are unharmed but are understandably very shaken by the incident which has been reported to local police.

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“The placement trip has now been cancelled and the University is taking steps to bring them all back to the UK as soon as possible.

“University colleagues remain in regular contact with the students and staff in South Africa, and with parents/guardians in the UK. We are providing a range of support in conjunction with our overseas emergency assistance partners.”

The Foreign Office said it has been supporting the students and arranged for emergency travel documents so that they could travel home as soon as possible.