EFF Claims Victory As DTIC Minister Parks Tau Withdraws Credit Act Amendment Proposal
- The Economic Freedom Fighters welcomed the decision of the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Parks Tau, to withdraw amendments to the Credit Act
- Tau submitted proposals that sought to criminalise students who failed to pay their student debt owed to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
- The EFF said it rejected the proposals, and South Africans saluted the party for its contribution to the rejection of the proposals
Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of Current Affairs, based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, cabinet reshuffles, the State of the Nation Address, parliamentary proceedings, and politician-related news, as well as elections, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.
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JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — The Economic Freedom Fighters took the credit for leading the fight to reject Trade, Industry Competition Minister Parks Tau's proposed changes to the National Credit Act, which led to him withdrawing the proposed amendments on 11 September 2025.
The Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition posted a statement announcing the withdrawal of the proposed amendments. The regulations were published on 13 August and sought to blacklist students who did not settle their debt. The department said that Tau's decision was informed by overwhelming outcry from the public, including from unions and political parties like the EFF.
Source: Getty Images
What did the EFF say?
The EFF, in a statement it released on its @EFFSouthAfrica X account, said the amendments were not withdrawn as an act of goodwill but as the direct result of sustained pressure led by the EFF, members of society, the youth of South Africa, and professionals.
The party added that the withdrawal came after it announced its intention to march to the department's office in protest. The party also slammed the African National Congress and Democratic Alliance.
"Students are already trapped in a cruel system where universities withhold certificates and qualifications from graduates who owe fees, denying them the ability to find jobs and repay the very debts that imprison them. Instead of resolving this crisis, the ANC and DA sought to escalate it by handing over student debts to credit bureaus, to be sold for profit in the debt markets," the party stated.
Read the X statement here:
EFF vs Parks Tau
The EFf has, in the past, criticized Tau. In September 2024, the party slammed him for missing 14 Parliamentary sessions. The Red Berets also slammed him for briefly attending one meeting, only to excuse himself.
The EFF also questioned why Tau proceeded with the negotiations of a preferred bidder after businessmen linked to the ANC were allegedly the preferred bidders of a R180 million National Lottery. The tender was for the operation of the lottery as Ithuba's licence expired on 31 May 2025.
South Africans salute EFF
Netizens commenting on the EFF's statement praised the Red Berets.
Squirrewl said:
"Well done to the EFF leadership."
Mr Ayee said:
"The EFF was the only political party that fought this for the students."
AGM Marketing said:
"Well done, EFF. Keep pushing and righting the wrongs."
Sethy777 said:
"Give credit where it is due."
Thabiso MaTao said:
"Much appreciated, fighters."
ActionSA tables bill to cut deputy ministers
In a related article, Briefly News reported that ActionSA tabled a bill to reduce the number of deputy ministers in the Cabinet.
The party believed that the executive was excessively large and placed an unnecessary financial strain on the fiscus.
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Source: Briefly News
