Student leaders celebrate DTIC’s decision to scrap controversial draft amendments

South African Student Congress (SASCO) has welcomed the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)’s decision to withdraw the controversial proposed National Credit Act amendments, calling it a win for students across the country.

The Department made the decision after an overwhelming public response, with over 20,000 submissions, most of which opposed the proposal.

The proposed changes, published in the Government Gazette last month, had raised concerns that they could effectively blacklist students, limiting access to employment, housing, and financial services.

The DTIC has maintained that the amendments were never intended to target any specific group.

SASCO’s National Executive Committee member, Damian Mukansi, says the proposal would have resulted in the blacklisting of thousands of students.

‘We commend all students that decided to participate when we made a call for them to send an email calling for the withdrawal of this proposal. As an organisation, we still stand by what we have been calling for, for free quality education in this country. We still stand to say historical debt must be cancelled.’

The announcement comes just a day after the EFF Youth Command leader and Member of Parliament, Sihle Lonzi, announced that it would be taking to the streets next month against the regulation that would blacklist student debt.

♦️BREAKING NEWS♦️

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau has abandoned his intention to amend the National Credit Act, to allow for students in debt to be blacklisted!#ThankYouEFF pic.twitter.com/A2ah3gyYJQ

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 11, 2025

Following the withdrawal, the EFF celebrated the victory.

The EFF’s Statement on the Withdrawal of the National Credit Card Act Amendment Regulations

-This retreat by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is not an act of goodwill by the ANC-DA led government, but the direct result of sustained pressure led by the EFF,… pic.twitter.com/YGO7ecE0q5

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 11, 2025

The ANCYL welcomes the decision by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, to withdraw the draft regulations that would have resulted in student debt being listed with credit bureaus.#ANCYLatWork pic.twitter.com/K0pzIyGYqd

— ANCYL (@ANCYLhq) September 12, 2025

#COSATU welcomes the Minister for Trade, Industry&Competition, Mr. Parks Tau’s progressive decision to withdraw the draft National Credit Act Regulations in response to concerns that they could have had the unintended consequences of blacklisting student debt @TauParks @the_dtic pic.twitter.com/tBQWjcTEG1

— @COSATU Today (@_cosatu) September 12, 2025

If there was nothing wrong with the regulations then why did DTIC withdraw it? P.s. credit must go to the EFF for being so vocal in rejecting it and for being among the organizations mobilizing the public against it. https://t.co/Pg4m7waoQu

— Phakamile Hlubi-Majola💫 (@phakxx) September 12, 2025