DUT shifts to online learning amid violent protests and EFFSC's class boycott

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has announced the immediate suspension of face-to-face lectures across its campuses following violent protests this week.

This follows a statement by EFF Student Command (EFFSC) DUT Durban Branch which declared that there will be “no commencement of classes” due to unresolved student grievances.

In an official university statement, DUT confirmed that its Executive Management Committee (EMC) and Senate Executive Committee (Senex) met to review campus operations “following incidents of violent protest, disruption and intimidation on most Durban campuses today.”

As a safety measure, the university resolved that from Wednesday, 18 February 2026 and until further notice, “all lectures across the university’s seven campuses in Durban and the Midlands will transition from face-to-face classes to online teaching and learning.”

In the statement, the university management also apologised to students and members of staff “who have been directly or otherwise affected by this misconduct which betrays our Living Values Framework”.

The university described incidents involving “unlawful and violent conduct, including the use of weapons and projectiles,” adding that protesters “damaged university property, disrupted academic activities and threatened and intimidated non-protesting students and staff.”

DUT said its Protection Services is identifying those involved and warned that “disciplinary action will be instituted against students found to have participated in these violent acts and where appropriate, criminal charges will be laid with the South African Police Service.” The institution further noted that it “also has a court interdict in place, which will be enforced.”

Management rejected claims circulating among students, stating: “DUT is aware that misinformation is being circulated by certain protest leaders regarding registration, student housing and allowances.”

The statement added that there is “no institutional crisis or justifiable reason that warrants this protest action,” and that “the violence, intimidation and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”

Despite the shift to online learning, DUT emphasised that it “remains open and operational.”

It said staff are required to report to their workstations, and “laboratories and libraries will remain open.”

The university also advised students to rely only on official communication platforms, including the DUT website, DUT PinBoard and DUT4Life email accounts.

The EFF Student Command DUT Durban Branch had circulated a communiqué declaring a halt to classes due to the unresolved student issues.

The student body cited “NSFAS funding challenges and registration difficulties faced by returning students” among the “burning issues” behind the action.

“The institution has failed to provide concrete solutions, and students cannot be expected to proceed as normal while these injustices remain unresolved,” the EFF statement reads.

For more stories from The Mercury, click the link THE MERCURY