A group of students from the EFF Youth Command protested at the University of Cape Town on Tuesday, calling for the scrapping of student debt and an academic boycott until their demands are met. They also seek registration for financially excluded students. UCT management reports assisting most vulnerable students amid campus disruptions.
On Tuesday, a small number of students affiliated with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Youth Command gathered at the University of Cape Town (UCT) to demand the scrapping of student debt. The protesters issued a statement on 15 February 2026 highlighting financial exclusion in higher education institutions and called for an academic boycott until their demands are fulfilled. They specifically requested that all financially excluded students be registered for the 2026 academic year, which began with lectures earlier in the week amid disruptions over the first two days. UCT Spokesperson Elijah Moholola stated that the university has been addressing these campus interruptions. He noted that management, in collaboration with the Student Representative Council (SRC), has assisted nearly all financially vulnerable students who are in good academic standing. This support includes current and eligible National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) students with fee debts from household incomes below R350 000 annually, as well as missing middle students. Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela provided an update on the protest action, emphasizing ongoing efforts to resolve the issues. The university aims to ensure access for those meeting the criteria, though specific details on the boycott's impact were not elaborated in the available information.