Another six people in the town were infected, of whom one died as well.

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and North West health MEC Molefi Sefularo met university management to devise a response plan, provincial government spokesman Barba Gaoganebiwe said.

"They have called on the community not to panic."

It appeared that the cases so far had been sporadic, and that they were limited to Potchefstroom and in particular the university, he said.

University spokesman Frikkie Kotze said that classes had been suspended from 1pm on Monday until Wednesday morning.

The suspension was necessary to allow for the administration of preventative drugs to about 10,000 students and for the medicine to take effect.

All students would be given a free dose of the preventative drug Ciprobay between 4pm and 10pm on Monday.

The drug takes effect within a day, according to Kotze.

Gaoganebiwe said the minister had called on all university students who were at home to go to the institution to receive the treatment.

As a preventative measure to the community at large, people were warned not to visit places which were not well ventilated, he said.

The symptoms of meningitis include nausea, dizziness, headaches and a rash.

"We appeal to everybody who starts experiencing these symptoms to go to a health facility immediately to get treatment... All health facilities in the Potchefstroom area are on high alert."

A 24-hour operational centre, managed by the local emergency services in conjunction with the SA National Defence Force, had been established, Gaoganebiwe added.

Phillip Pretorius, 20, an education student at the Potchefstroom University died last Wednesday, while André van Bommel, also 20, a second-year engineering student, died on Sunday night.

A female student at the Potchefstroom Beauty Academy died of meningitis at the end of June.

Five more people were treated.